The Means to Attain a Happy Life

My Head of Department delivered a very interesting lecture today, about ‘The Means to Attain a Happy Life’ by Henry Howard, the Earl of Surrey. She inspired me to write about my views of the poem and what I took from it.

Howard starts by claiming that a happy life is obtained when we obtain money without effort. I believe that some easy money is good in the beginning, to get a person on his or her feet, but later, it leads to laziness. A person needs something to occupy their time. If money is readily available, their mental and physical capabilities will decline.

He then speaks about suitable companionship. He claims that a friendship shouldn’t have any conflicts and friends shouldn’t hold grudges against each other. I believe that true friendship can not exist without some degree of conflict. In the end, what matters is that the two companions don’t abandon each other and come back together once their conflict is resolved.

Howard then says a happy life is one without disease and a proper diet. He believes that health is important to lead a happy life, which I agree with. He also says that a good and faithful wife will lead to a man having a happy life.  

My professor advised us, girls, to remain calm in the face of conflict. She told us that our words were very powerful and that we should be very careful with them. "Girls, be silent and patient. Correct them with love. Argumentative wives can be dangerous," she said. I remember scoffing at this statement. I think we are not obliged to remain calm all the time. The situation and problem at hand are important determining factors. 

Howard concluded his poem by telling us not to wish for death nor to fear it. I agree with this completely. Death is indeed inevitable and will come for us all. However, we shouldn’t covet it before our time. This was one of the few poems that I delved into and it was surely worth it. Howard's views were informative and his writing shows that he believed everything he said. 

In the end, I believe that moderation is the key. Too much of a good thing is bad and on the other hand, we need some pleasure and happiness in life.