May 23, 2005
Global Equity Strategies takes time off from bearish investment advice, and provides a market strategy for happiness, noting that the great worth of happiness is the driver for Adam Smith's economics. The founding market economist concluded that for true wealth of nations and persons, "wealth and greatness are mere trinkets of frivolous utility," for which there is always imminent danger that a man will "[sacrifice] a real tranquillity that is at all times in his power" -- "real tranquillity" consisting of "humble security and contentment." *
In fact, the linked power of those ideas brightens our morning and suggests a focus for the week. Humility. Security. Contentment. We cannot confect them. In fact, the ambitious pursuit of humility is a risible and self-contradictory exercise. But we can notice a beautiful thing as it manifests, on the way to the post office, in the next cubicle, or watching those we love, unobtrusively at home. We take note of them, appreciate and thereby have a part, filled with gratitude.
Cognitive, behavioral, intentional ways to happiness. Interweave the list of suggestions in a context set by the virtues, and it's a sure bet, a bull market. Buy low, sell never.
Via Jane Galt.
*(quoted in Adam Smith, Behavioural Economist by Ashraf et al (2004) from the Theory of Moral Sentiments).
Update:
Harvested from an e-mail conversation with Mangan's Miscellany's eponymous proprietor -- our web of connections is wealth, and he's shown himself interested in these things -- as to the value of little lists like the one here.
Life doesn't come prepackaged, it's like something a little shaky from Ikea in pieces with sometimes a screw missing. But little by little one puts the bookcase together, grows a rose on the patio, is given a vase for a birthday, reads a book that she then returns to the shelf -- and looks up one evening and, behold, there is a breathtaking still-life framed in flickering lamplight. And it is enough.
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