The-Conquest-of-Happiness-by-Bertrand-Russell

a melodrama in which the hero and heroine go
through incredible misfortunes for which they are
compensated by a happy ending. I live and have my
day, my son succeeds me and has his day, his son
in turn succeeds him. What is there in all this to
make a tragedy about? On the contrary, if I lived
for ever the joys of life would inevitably in the end
lose their savour. As it is, they remain perennially
fresh.
I warmed both hands before the fire;
It sinks, and I am ready to depart.
This attitude is quite as rational as that of
indignation with death. If, therefore, moods were
to be decided by reason, there would be quite as
much reason for cheerfulness as for despair.
‘Ecclesiastes’ is tragic; Mr Krutch’s Modern
Temper is pathetic. Mr Krutch, at bottom, is sad
because the old mediaeval certainties have
crumbled, and also some that are of more recent
origin. ‘As for this present unhappy time,’ he says,