The advantages found in history seem to be of three kinds, as they result either from the mere situation of the climate and country or from the form of government and of the character of the people, or from those finer principles and morals, which may be called the recommendations of philosophy.
The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.