Harvard Expert Outlines 10 Virtues That Help ‘Happiness Find You’

Harvard professor and social scientist Arthur C. Brooks is highlighting ancient wisdom to guide modern paths to happiness. In his latest edition of the newsletter The Art and Science of Happiness, Brooks reflects on teachings from Greek philosopher Aristotle to suggest that happiness is not something to be pursued, but rather attracted through virtuous living.

“Instead of seeing it as something to be found, Aristotle believed it was something we attract by living well,” Brooks wrote. He emphasized that developing certain personal virtues into daily habits can create the conditions for happiness to emerge naturally.

Woman smiling | Source: Pexels

Brooks, who teaches a popular course on happiness at Harvard University, listed 10 virtues originally identified by Aristotle that are supported by modern research:

• Identify what you fear and face it.
• Learn your appetites and gain control over them—this includes both substances and behaviors.
• Maintain balance in time and money use: “Be neither a cheapskate nor a spendthrift.”
• Give back generously to people and causes you value.
• Focus on transcendent matters and disregard trivialities.

Woman smiling while looking at her reflexion | Source: Pexels

• Control your temper.
• Be truthful in all things, including self-honesty.
• Avoid striving for what you believe is your “fair share.”
• Forgive others—for your own peace.
• Develop your own moral code and adhere to it, even in private.