There is nothing inherently fair about equalizing incomes. If the government penalizes you for working harder than somebody else, that is unfair. If you save your money but retire with the same pension as a free-spending neighbor, that is also unfair.
Arthur C. BrooksThe truth is that relative income is not directly related to happiness. Nonpartisan social-survey data clearly show that the big driver of happiness is earned success: a person's belief that he has created value in his life or the life of others.
Arthur C. BrooksFree enterprise is essentially a formula not just for wealth creation, but for life satisfaction.
Arthur C. BrooksYes, free markets tend to produce unequal incomes. We should not be ashamed of that. On the contrary, our system is the envy of the world and should be a source of pride.
Arthur C. BrooksThe more control you have over your life, the more responsible you feel for your own success - or failure.
Arthur C. BrooksHappiness isn't found in some finite checklist of goals that we can diligently complete and then coast. It's how we live our lives in the process. That's why the four pillars of happiness are faith, family, community and meaningful work. Those are priorities we have to keep investing in.
Arthur C. Brooks