If one only wished to be happy, this could be easily accomplished; but we wish to be happier than other people, and this is always difficult, for we believe others to be happier than they are.
enlightenment · french-enlightenment
Montesquieu
Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de Montesquieu · 1689–1755 · French
Analyst of climates of government. Happiness as the wish to be happier than others — always difficult.