Sincerity, a Compass for True Happiness

This text explores the close link between sincerity, consistency, and true happiness. The author argues that sincerity is not an end in itself, it must be guided by a conscience oriented toward the good. Being sincere means, above all, being lucid about oneself and acting in accordance with one's deep aspirations.

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Summary: This text explores the close link between sincerity, consistency, and true happiness. The author argues that sincerity is not an end in itself, it must be guided by a conscience oriented toward the good. Being sincere means, above all, being lucid about oneself and acting in accordance with one's deep aspirations, rather than giving in to the whims of the ego or vanity. The Path to inner peace involves the right action, meaning doing what must be done without being distracted by laziness or shifting desires. Ultimately, achieving serenity requires a form of detachment, especially from one's own thoughts and the need to be right, in order to prioritize the tranquility of the soul over mere freedom of opinion.

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Sincerity is not an excuse, but a conscience

Detachment is an essential virtue for happiness, just like other virtues such as simplicity, humility, constancy... and sincerity. I often make fun of speeches where sincerity is evoked as a cardinal quality, and I retort: "Hitler was sincere: he sincerely disliked the Jews." Sincerity is not enough, what matters above all, is the conscience one has! When our conscience is on the "Light Side of the Force," sincerity is justified.

By the way, what does "being sincere" actually mean? It means not lying to oneself and doing what one knows must be done, even if it is not always to our advantage. Sincerity has something in common with humility, because both virtues have to do with lucidity.

Consistency between aspirations and actions

Sincerity is also about knowing what you fundamentally want, and do not want, to do with your life. To be sincere is to ensure that our acts are in agreement with our convictions and our aspirations... it is a matter of consistency.

In life, we need to be sincere, because if we aspire to happiness, sincerity will help us get there. Aspiring to true happiness without doing what must be done to reach it is a lack of consistency, therefore of sincerity, which will result in plunging us into frustration and confusion.

Escaping the trap of vanity and the ego

Man has a natural attraction to happiness. Vanity is of a different nature: it does not aspire to happiness but to asserting itself, to being recognized. It loves what is complicated, convoluted, it loves endless discussions. It loves explanations, whether they are good or bad, it doesn't matter!

If you identify with vanity, then your attraction to happiness will not find an outlet in the things of life. If you are identified with your true identity, which some call the soul, then this thirst for happiness and peace will occupy the first rank of your concerns.

Right action: the engine of inner peace

Happiness comes through right actions. A right action is doing what is necessary, whether we like it or not, at the moment it must be done and how it must be done, without listening to our laziness or our cravings. The more importance you give to right action, the more happiness and peace will be present.

Either you aspire to true happiness, or you don't, and nothing can give you that thirst if you don't already have it. Do not confuse happiness with the satisfaction of your desires. True happiness is inner peace, and chasing after your cravings is not favorable to that peace. To reach happiness, one must accept not being obsessed by one's desires. Acting rightly is not a very attractive prospect for the ego, but do you believe that egotism is a good advisor? If you do not believe so, then do not listen to your egotism.

Choosing between your thoughts and your serenity

Man holds so tightly to his opinion on things that he often refuses to listen to the advice of the wise. He prefers those who tell him he is right, who go in his direction. How do you expect to evolve that way? To listen, one needs a little humility. "There are none so deaf as those who will not hear."

It is crazy how much people cling to their freedom of thought! But when we love peace, we do not cling to our thoughts, quite the contrary! We wish they would cease, in order to know serenity. What do you hold most dear, for your part? Your freedom of thought or serenity, inner peace, the true happiness of the soul?

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