It is surprising, looking through such a one’s eyes, to see how full life is of delight.  Yet in the same situations there may be room for endless complaint if “every grief is entertained that’s offered.”  It all depends on the attitude taken.  In trouble one man will fall to fretting, while another does what can be done and then turns his thoughts to something else; in discomfort one will lower the corners of his mouth and feel wretched, while the other finds it all vastly amusing; one will have his day quite spoiled by some disappointment which the other takes as a mere incident; one will find the same environment dull and stupid which the other finds full of interest and opportunity; and so out of like conditions one will make an unhappy, the other a happy life. [Footnote:  Cf.  “In journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren, in weariness and painfulness, in watching often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness . . . yet always rejoicing!” “Rejoicing in tribulation” even, because to the brave man every obstacle and failure is so much further opportunity for courage and contrivance, for matching himself against things.  “Human joy,” writes the author of the Simple Life, “has celebrated its finest triumphs under the greatest tests of endurance.”  The Apostle Paul is but one of many who have welcomed each rebuff, and proved that if rightly taken life almost at its worst can be transmuted by courage into happiness.] This, then, is the philosophy of happiness in a nutshell:  Put your heart into doing your duty; demand nothing else of life than the opportunity to do your duty; enjoy freely and without fear everything good and beautiful that comes in your way.

To acquire and keep this attitude of mind requires of course resolution and persistence.  We must rouse ourselves and take sides.  We must definitely pledge ourselves once and for all to happiness; and if we] cannot at a leap attain to it, we must still remember that we have committed ourselves to that side.  We must pretend to be happy, throw aside all complaining and sighs and long faces; whatever comes, we must remember that we are on trial to preserve our buoyancy, our power not to be downcast.  We shall not be able] to disuse our habit of unhappiness at once.  But if we stick to our colors and refuse to add to whatever depression masters us by brooding upon it and giving it right of way; if we remember the conditions of happiness stated above, and thrust resolutely from us all thoughts and words incompatible with living according to them, the unhappiness will