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Now such soothing thoughts flow slowly across one’s consciousness as: “Is it worth while adding to the amount of mediocre work in the world? Is it not rather egotistical and beside the mark? Would it not be more to the point to add to the sum of the world’s happiness by being an extremely happy person?” Such thoughts, of course, lull one to amiable puttering over agreeable things that do not particularly matter, with a mind put to sleep through lazy smiling. A nice end for the world to come to!
ex Florida Pier (Scott-Maxwell), “Devastating Happiness,” her “The Gentler View” column, Harper’s Weekly (August 17, 1912) : 26
transcription and links to source : link
see also her “Happiness,” Harper’s Weekly (December 2, 1911) : link
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