LESSON 3: The Secret of Happiness

“‘Simon, some persons are naturally more happy than others. Much, very much, depends upon
the willingness of man to be led and directed by the Father's spirit which lives within him. Have
you not read in the Scriptures the words of the wise man, “The spirit of man is the candle of the
Lord, searching all the inward parts”? And also that such spirit-led mortals say: “The lines are
fallen to me in pleasant places; yes, I have a goodly heritage.” “A little that a righteous man has
is better than the riches of many wicked,” for “a good man shall be satisfied from within himself.

”“A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance and is a continual feast. Better is a little with the
reverence of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where
love is than a fatted ox and hatred therewith. Better is a little with righteousness than great
revenues without rectitude. ”“A merry heart does good like a medicine. ”“Better is a handful
with composure than a superabundance with sorrow and vexation of spirit. ”

“‘Much of man's sorrow is born of the disappointment of his ambitions and the wounding of his
pride. Although men owe a duty to themselves to make the best of their lives on earth, having
thus sincerely exerted themselves, they should cheerfully accept their lot and exercise ingenuity
in making the most of that which has fallen to their hands. All too many of man's troubles take
origin in the fear soil of his own natural heart. “The wicked flee when no man pursues. ”“The
wicked are like the troubled sea, for it cannot rest, but its waters cast up mire and dirt; there is no
peace, says God, for the wicked. ”

“‘Seek not, then, for false peace and transient joy but rather for the assurance of faith and the
sureties of divine sonship which yield composure, contentment, and supreme joy in the spirit.'”
(1674.4) 149:5.2 Prov 20:27; Ps 16:6; Ps 37:16; Prov 14:14; Prov 15:13, 16, 17; Prov 16:8; Prov
17:22; Eccl 4:6; Prov 28:1; Isa 57:20, 21.