While searching for the origin of "Pursuit of Happiness" at Wikipedia, it turned out that "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" is one of the most famous phrases in the United States Declaration of Independence. These three aspects are listed among the "unalienable rights" of man. Notice that the declaration however, does not state that one has a right to happiness, but a right to pursue it.
The phrase is based on the writings of John Locke, who expressed a similar concept of "life, liberty, and estate (or property)". While Locke said that "no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions", Adam Smith coined the phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of property". The expression "pursuit of happiness" was coined by Dr. Samuel Johnson in his 1759 novel Rasselas]. 2 of his other quotes (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Samuel_Johnson) :
Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful. - Chapter 41, The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia (1759)
Men more frequently require to be reminded than informed. - The Rambler (1750-1752)
What a powerful wiki & wish all a pleasant weekend!
Friday, July 27, 2007
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