The True Meaning of Pursuit of Happiness: All You Need to Know

The Founding Fathers were quite precise in the words they used to describe our freedoms. “Life” and “liberty” are quite clear terms that continue, to this day, to be relatively self-explanatory. But “the pursuit of happiness”? Not so much.

It was a little murky then, and in today’s dialect, the original meaning is all but completely lost.

The Truth about The Pursuit of Happiness

Today, we define happiness as a state of emotional well-being, that includes feelings of contentment and joy.

But that’s not what it meant in the days our country was forming.

“Happiness” in those days meant something more akin to what today we would call “virtue”.

And virtuous activities were those that benefitted society as a whole vs. behaviors that were pleasing to us as individual people.

Put simply, the phrase “the pursuit of happiness” described our right (and to a certain extent, our duty) to attempt to be the best person we can be, and to contribute to society as a whole by living a fulfilling and virtuous life.

The Founding Fathers and The Pursuit of Happiness

The Founding Fathers were not hypocrites. They saw their faults clearly, and in fact, were known to keep daily score of their own performance against the ideals they aspired to demonstrate.

And they were tough graders. According to the history books, many days they openly acknowledged their own failures to live a virtuous life. But they were consistent in their commitment to keep trying to do better, creating sets of life rules and guidelines as reminders of what the pursuit of happiness actually looked like, in real life.

The set of values that guided the Founding Fathers not only influenced their decisions and actions but also laid the foundation for our new country.

The Ideals That Change Everything

Today, we explore the 12 virtues that defined our early leaders’ vision for our country and continue to provide an aspirational goal that resonates today.

• Wisdom: A cornerstone for the Founding Fathers. they understood that knowledge alone wasn’t enough; applying that knowledge in real-life situations mattered too. Their decisions, from drafting the Constitution to making foreign treaties, were rooted in practical wisdom.

• Courage: Standing firm in the face of adversity. Courage defined the Founding Fathers, especially during the Revolutionary War. They faced threats to their lives and freedom yet stood strong against oppression. They exhibited bravery every day, to defend the liberties we take for granted in this country today.

• Justice: They believed in creating a fair system where everyone’s rights were protected and a society where laws applied to all without bias. Their pursuit of justice enabled the nation to grow with integrity and honor.

• Temperance: The Founding Fathers believed that moderation was key to a harmonious life. This virtue helped them balance their ambitions and personal lives.

• Fortitude: Having strength through hard times was essential for the Founding Fathers. They showed resilience when facing challenges, whether in battle or politics. Their fortitude helped them pursue an independent nation despite numerous setbacks.

• Prudence: Planning with purpose involves thoughtfulness and foresight. The Founding Fathers exemplified this by thinking ahead about the country’s future. They didn’t just react to problems; they strategized long-term solutions, similar to setting small goals to achieve a bigger dream. Their prudent choices created a stable government that would last.

The 12 Virtues, Continued

• Charity: Generosity of spirit is about more than money; it’s about caring for others. The Founding Fathers believed in helping one another for the greater good. This virtue fostered a sense of community, encouraging each person to look out for their neighbors.

• Integrity: Honesty in leadership, including being truthful and trustworthy. The Founding Fathers commitment to integrity created trust among the people. When leaders uphold integrity, they inspire others to follow suit, forging a stronger society.

• Humility: The strength of modesty was not lost on the Founding Fathers. They recognized their limitations and were open to learning from others. This virtue kept them grounded, allowing for cooperation and collaboration.

• Responsibility: The virtue represents not just owning one’s actions and decisions, but truly holding oneself accountable. The Founding Fathers took this seriously, knowing that their choices impacted many lives.

• Gratitude: Being grateful for their blessings played a key role in the lives of the Founding Fathers, especially in the context of the sacrifices they made for freedom. They appreciated the struggles that shaped their successes and inspired their fellow citizens. Gratitude fosters a deeper connection to the past and motivates a better future.

• Faith: Perhaps the most important of all, faith was a guiding virtue for the Founding Fathers. Their belief in a brighter future fueled their resolve. They had faith in their vision of America, even when the path was unclear. Their faith propelled them forward and brought others along on the journey.

The Legacy of our Founding Fathers and the Pursuit of Happiness

The 12 virtues of the Founding Fathers are not just historical ideals; they outline the key elements of personal conduct that demonstrated “happiness” (a life of virtue) back then and still describe characteristics of true leadership today.

By actively engaging in the pursuit of happiness, and embodying wisdom, courage, justice, and the other virtues, we can honor the legacy of our Founding Fathers and strive to create a better society.

Each virtue can also be considered as an element of character that shapes not only individuals but also nations.

As we move forward, let’s carry these values with us, fostering a community built on the principles that once laid the foundation of the United States.

Let’s commit to living lives that are full and focused on the “Pursuit of Happiness”.

Thank you as always for reading.

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KindCompassCoach

Joan Senio is the founder of KindCompassCoach. Her career includes 20+ years as a private sector corporate executive and 15 years as a consultant. The common thread through her professional life has been a commitment to compassionate coaching and leadership, including mentoring early and mid-career professionals as well as current and future executives and leaders. KindCompassCoach articles are backed by research and include facts and advice from relevant experts. Joan is a member of the International Organization of Life Coaches, serves as a thought-leader for KuelLife.com and is a regular contributor to PsychReg and Sixty and Me.