it is and acknowledge the inevitability and universality of pain, loss, sickness, old
age, and death. They live authentic lives, without delusion. And given this, we
might speculate, happier people are also better people because they have a
realistic, compassionate outlook. If this is right, then happiness is not the result of
living a good life; rather it is the basis for a good life. That is, happiness is what
makes it possible to live life well.