To
be without desire is to be content. But contentment is not
happiness. And in contentment there is no progress. Happiness is
to desire something, to work for it, and to obtain at least a
part of it. In the pursuit of beloved labor the busy days pass
cheerfully employed, and the still nights in peaceful
sleep.
For
labor born of desire is not drudgerey, but manly play. Success
brings hope, hope inspires fresh desire, and desire gives zest
to life and joy to labor. This is true whether your days be
spent in the palaces of the powerful or in some little green
byway of the world.
Therefore,
while yet you have the strength, cherish a desire to do some
useful work in your little corner of the world, and have the
steadfastness to labor. For this is the way to the happy life;
with health and endearing ties, it is the way to the glorious
life.
Max
Ehrmann
1872 - 1945
