Happiness appears to be the most sought after commodity other than money, and the contest between the two is nearly settled by the saying, 'money can't buy happiness,' although being happy too can't get you money by itself. That everyone wants to be happy is a universally accepted fact. Why would anyone want to be sad or suffer? Does this mean we are some kind of pleasure-driven, biologically programmed machines seeking happiness all the time?

No one appears to have ever felt 'hungry' for happiness, felt an urge to be happy, or suffered when deprived of its pleasurable aspects. One may desire more money, more pleasure, more success, or more power, but never has anyone reported to want more of happiness after once being happy, or as suffering for want of it. Nor did religion ever spoke of happiness as a virtue, laying stress instead on denial of pleasure.

How then does happiness enter into the scheme of our life, to the extent that if you are not happy than you are seen as missing something? Is it because happiness is a sign of success? For we are most happy and in high spirits when we win, prove our mettle, and succeed in life. Whether it is an exam, a game, a deal, or an argument, a win produces instant gratification and feelings of elation in us. By showing our happiness, we are showing signs of our success. It is perhaps this association that gives happiness its importance in a competitive society, for everone wants to be successful or at least be seen as such.

If this is true, then happiness by itself is not a virtue, but a mere side effect of success. Its roots are to be found outside us, in our relationships with others, in competition, and as accompanying success and failure, rather than a goal or aim in itself.