A Thought While Reading a Book on Aristotle’s Understanding of Happiness:
It seems to be distinctive of human beings that we are always in search of more: More money, more affection, more success, more status, more love, more accolades, more stuff. Even those who praise simple living and seek to find new ways to simplify their lives, and who seem by contrast to live in pursuit of less, are really often in their own manner on the lookout for more—more ways to trim and cut and do without, always seeking novel ideas for living with less and less. It’s for them even a quest for more less.
It's a temptation to think there's something intrinsically wrong with the desire for more, as if it bespeaks a discontent of the soul. But what would ever be wrong with a desire for more wisdom, more growth, more chances to do something good, more spiritual depth, more opportunities to show real love? What's needed is discernment. What are healthy needs for more, and what aren't? A wise and good life finds the right balance of more and less, more or less.
