After a trip to Mount Rushmore National Park last year and visiting some historic places related to the birth of our American constitution, I was gifted Jeffrey Rosen's book, The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America, which I just finished. Little did I know he would give a speech at the BYU Forum a few days ago on the same subject—so that was a treat.
For centuries, philosophers, scholars, and spiritual leaders have sought to define the true nature of happiness. In modern discourse, Jeffrey Rosen’s work highlights how America’s Founding Fathers viewed the pursuit of happiness as a journey of moral and intellectual growth rather than fleeting pleasure. True happiness, as Rosen describes, is deeply tied to self-mastery—the ability to govern one’s desires, thoughts, and actions in alignment with virtuous principles.
Happiness: More Than Just Feeling Good
Ancient and modern thinkers alike have argued that happiness is not simply a state of pleasure but a result of disciplined self-governance. Aristotle, in his Nicomachean Ethics (source), asserted that eudaimonia—often translated as “flourishing” or “true happiness”—is achieved through a life of virtue, rational action, and moral responsibility. He believed that lasting fulfillment comes not from indulgence but from the disciplined pursuit of excellence in character.
Similarly, Spencer W. Kimball, a modern religious leader, warned against equating happiness with transient pleasure. He stated, “Happiness does not come by pressing a button, as does light. Happiness is a condition of the soul. This comes through self-discipline and self-control.” (source). His words align closely with Rosen’s view that the Founders envisioned happiness as an internal state cultivated through self-restraint and integrity.
The Founders’ Vision of Happiness
Rosen’s work explores how figures like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison saw happiness as inseparable from virtue. Jefferson, influenced by John Locke, understood that human beings have an inherent desire for joy—but that true joy comes from self-improvement rather than mere external satisfaction. Madison, likewise, saw self-governance at the national and individual levels as a safeguard to achieving personal and societal happiness.
This idea of self-rule extends beyond government; it applies deeply to personal discipline. The Founders’ emphasis on self-mastery was not just political but moral: only by governing oneself could a person be truly free and truly happy. As Benjamin Franklin once wrote, “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.” (source). This echoes the spiritual teaching that self-mastery is a prerequisite to happiness.
Happiness and the Power of Self-Mastery
In modern psychology, studies reinforce the idea that delayed gratification, discipline, and long-term goal-setting contribute to a greater sense of well-being. The renowned Stanford Marshmallow Experiment (source) demonstrated that children who exhibited self-control—delaying immediate rewards for greater future benefits—tended to have better life outcomes, including higher academic achievements and emotional stability.
Likewise, ancient Stoic philosophers such as Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus emphasized that happiness comes from mastering one’s mind rather than being ruled by external circumstances. Epictetus wrote, “No man is free who is not master of himself.” (source). This teaching resonates deeply with religious and philosophical traditions that tie happiness to self-discipline.
Epictetus wisely stated, “Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired, but by controlling the desire.” (source). I have seen this principle play out in my lifetime when Brazil transitioned to democracy in the late 1970s. I wrote about this transformation and its challenges in an article for Deseret News, which you can read here. Without a foundation of self-governance and personal responsibility, many struggled to navigate the newfound freedoms, demonstrating that self-mastery is crucial not only for personal happiness but for the stability of societies.
The Path Forward: Aligning Happiness with Character
In a world that often equates happiness with instant gratification, rediscovering the Founders’ vision—and the wisdom of spiritual and philosophical traditions—can help recalibrate our pursuit of joy. The formula is simple but demanding: true happiness is found in discipline, self-mastery, and a commitment to virtue. As Spencer W. Kimball so powerfully put it, “Self-mastery is the ultimate test of our character.” (source).
The ultimate example of self-mastery is found in Jesus Christ. As Russell M. Nelson stated, "When deepening trials come your way, remember this glorious promise of the Savior: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me on my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father on his throne.” (Rev. 3:21.)" (source) The pinnacle of His self-control was manifest in His obedience unto death, even death on a cross. Despite immense suffering, his unwavering commitment to the will of the Father exemplifies a source of true self-control far beyond that of our feeble selves. His life teaches us that true happiness and eternal joy are only achieved through self-mastery and submission to divine will. Through my life, I have discovered that the path to remain steadfast in the covenant path with God is to master self-control, which helps align our lives with His, the desire of our hearts with His, the outcome of our years with the knowledge we have of the kingdoms and glory.
By cultivating inner discipline, whether through faith or personal determination, we find the strength to govern ourselves in the face of life’s trials. For those who choose not to seek divine guidance, the path of self-mastery remains a noble and rewarding pursuit, offering clarity, resilience, and a deeper understanding of one’s own purpose. Even then, we can align ourselves not only with historical wisdom but with a path that leads to profound and lasting fulfillment. True happiness, in the end, is the reward of those who master themselves. As Plato wisely stated, “The first and greatest victory is to conquer yourself; to be conquered by yourself is of all things most shameful and vile.” (source)
John Adams, one of the most influential Founding Fathers, famously declared, “Without virtue, there can be no liberty.” (source) He understood that self-control and moral integrity were the bedrock of a free society. A nation cannot maintain its liberty if its people lack the discipline to govern their own actions. Without self-restraint, society risks descending into chaos or tyranny, where freedoms are stripped away due to unchecked passions and abuses of power. Likewise, governments that indulge in corruption and allow profligacy without limits create a moral decay that ultimately erodes the foundation of liberty and order, leading their people into instability and suffering.
Adams is one of my favorite Founding Fathers because of his deep commitment to principle and virtue. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he was unwavering in his belief that character and morality were more important than power or popularity. He defended liberty even when it was politically inconvenient, demonstrating that true leadership requires self-mastery.
Similarly, Abraham Lincoln embodied these same principles of virtue, self-mastery, and the pursuit of justice. He understood that the promise of liberty extended beyond personal discipline—it encompassed the very structure of society. His leadership during the Civil War and his determination to end slavery were rooted in a profound belief that a nation cannot truly be free unless all its people are free. Lincoln’s resolve cost him his life, but his legacy is a testament to the power of principle and self-sacrifice in shaping a just society.
As we strive to master ourselves, let us draw from the examples of Adams, Lincoln, and Christ Himself, who dedicated their lives to the pursuit and teaching of true happiness—not as fleeting pleasure but as a grand vision of freedom, virtue, and self-governance. Their commitment to justice, personal integrity, and national unity serves as a guiding light for us today. They understood that liberty is fragile and must be safeguarded by those who possess the moral strength to uphold it. In conquering ourselves, we unlock the truest form of happiness that endures beyond time, trials, and eternity.
Comments