August 19

Life is movement, and therefore the good of life is likewise not a certain state, but a certain direction of movement.

This direction is a service not to yourself, but to God.

1

Some seek the good or happiness in power, others in science, the third in pleasure. But the ones who are actually close to their good understand that it cannot consist in something that can only be possessed by a limited number of people, rather than by all. They understand that a human being’s true good is such that all people can possess it at once, without diminishing it or feeling envy, and that no one can lose it against their will.

— Pascal

2

Happiness is that which a human being desires for himself alone; the good is that which a human being desires for himself along with everyone else. Happiness is attained by struggle, the good, on the contrary, by obedience.

3

There are few true goods. A true good is only that which is good for everyone.

And therefore, if you want to be useful rather than harmful to people, do only that which agrees with the common good. The one who does this will himself obtain the good.

— Marcus Aurelius

4

The true good is to serve God. Service is always achieved by expending your animal life, just as light is achieved only by expending combustible material.

5

Without noticing it, we do much more for ourselves than for others when we do good to our neighbors.

— From “Devout Thoughts”

6

Do good, no matter to whom. The good deed you have done does not disappear, even if you forget about it.

To do good is the only sure way to be happy.

The closer that which a human being does or experiences is to the true good, the more natural his desire is to share this good with others.