What is the real road to happiness as suggested by Bertrand Russell in his present essay, ‘The Road to Happiness’? Discuss it in your own words.

Ans.

The need of pleasant activity

After reading this essay, ‘The Road to Happiness‘ written by Bertrand Russell we note that the way to achieve happiness passes through happy activity. It is not related to any theory of life or of religion. Some persons have a wrong idea that they should follow a set theory to reach the goal of real happiness. If men remain busy in earning bread and butter for their family, women bring up their children and they look after their family by managing the family affairs it may be called their creative activity to get real happiness in their life.

Activity as a tonic

The writer asserts the great need of constant activity to get real happiness in human life. As a tonic is needed by a patient to recover completely after illness, so constant activity is also much needed to be happy in real life. The people of the city spend their weekends working hard in their garden because they feel tired and boring after their routine in their office work. It is their labour of love which gives them happiness when they look at their garden blooming with coloured and beautiful flowers in their garden.

The writer gives an example showing the real road to happiness in their life. On the other hand some people follow their set theory of, “eating. drinking and be merry” and they fall in some serious trouble because of their wrong theory. They can also be happy if they follow the principle of constant work with interest. Then it would be in the shape of a tonic to enjoy their life happily. If a patient gets his perfect recovery, he does not need any tonic. In the same way the person living in the middle of material comforts by enjoying his normal health does not need to follow any set theory of life or religion to get happiness in his life because he can be happy without any such theory.

Two things are necessary for real happiness in life

The writer gives his suggestion with two necessary things for real happiness in life. Many persons take their life very seriously and feel much depressed due to much hurry and worry even in small things. The writer gives the example of a businessman who should take his morning walk in the morning daily to have fresh air as the way to real happiness in life.

The writer shows a great need and importance of two things which are very necessary to get happiness in life. The first important thing is the good relationship in the family with all members or in the office. Second important thing is to take part in some play actively and happily. Such relationship in the family or in the office should not be disturbed by petty differences. Such a situation should not be permitted to continue for a long time. It is necessary for each and every man that he should take part in a play or game. He should develop the natural feeling for any game of his interest which will help him in getting true happiness in real life.

The need of natural instincts and impulses

After reading the essay. The Road to Happiness’ we note the advice of the writer to develop natural instincts and impulses which lead to real happiness in life. It is to be noted by us that man is a biological animal who has some natural instincts and impulses which should not be suppressed. If a man suppresses his natural instincts and impulses he cannot be happy in his life. For example if a developing businessman wants to gather much wealth in order become very rich in a short time, it is his wrong thinking because in this way he cannot get happiness in his life. He can lose the power of enjoyment even after becoming very rich.

Conclusion

The writer makes it very clear that some men run after earning a lot of money to be rich and happy but it is their wrong thinking. There are some other persons who run after power and prestige. Its reason is that they want to get success and happiness in society. It is their wrong thinking because true happiness cannot be achieved only by getting richness, power and social success. If they want true happiness they should be satisfied with their normal life and limited means. Some good friends and loving family members help to give him true happiness in life.

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