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Poem
March 21, 1818
Philanthropist
Mount Pleasant, Jefferson County, Ohio
What is this article about?
The poem explores the essence of true happiness, dismissing mere wealth or pleasure, and instead advocating sufficient means to avoid want, joy to serene life, and inner virtue free of sin for enduring noble joy.
Clipping
OCR Quality
96%
Excellent
Full Text
ON TRUE HAPPINESS.
Long have I sought the wish of all,
True Happiness to find:
Which some will wealth, some Pleasure call,
And some a virtuous mind.
Sufficient wealth to keep away
Of want the doleful scene,
And joy enough to gild the day
And make life's course serene.
Virtue enough to ask the heart,
Art thou secure within?
Hast thou performed an honest part?
Hast thou no private sin?
This to perform, these things possess,
Must raise a noble joy,
Must constitute that happiness,
Which nothing can destroy.
Long have I sought the wish of all,
True Happiness to find:
Which some will wealth, some Pleasure call,
And some a virtuous mind.
Sufficient wealth to keep away
Of want the doleful scene,
And joy enough to gild the day
And make life's course serene.
Virtue enough to ask the heart,
Art thou secure within?
Hast thou performed an honest part?
Hast thou no private sin?
This to perform, these things possess,
Must raise a noble joy,
Must constitute that happiness,
Which nothing can destroy.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
True Happiness
Virtue
Wealth
Pleasure
Moral Joy
Poem Details
Title
On True Happiness.
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
This To Perform, These Things Possess,
Must Raise A Noble Joy,
Must Constitute That Happiness,
Which Nothing Can Destroy.