This deeply profound question has baffled philosophers over the ages. I think even some of us would have pondered about it: Who can be called happy? Today, I want to tell a story which sheds some light on this question.
Once upon a time, long before Christ was born, lived a King by name Croesus. He was short and stout. Croesus ruled the Kingdom of Lydia, which corresponds to modern-day Turkey, between 560BC to 547BC. He was an extremely wealthy King, which he showed off by adorning himself with gold. His palace, at his capital Sardis, was made of Gold. The old expression "as rich as Croesus" originates in reference to him.
When Croesus was ruling, there was a famous Athenian traveler by name Solon the Wise. He was lean, had a long beard and lived simple. Solon had traveled extensively throughout Asia, Egypt and Lydia. After years of travel, Solon arrived at the palace of Croesus. Croesus was overjoyed to host such an illustrious visitor and proudly showed off his wealth to Solon the wise.
He finally asked “Oh Solon the wise, you may have met umpteen number of people in your travel. Who do you think the happiest of them all?”
“Tellus of Athens.” solemnly replied Solon.
Croesus was upset that he was not named and asked 'why Tellus'?
“Tellus had lived ordinary but peaceful life, had a beautiful family, and had died gloriously in a battle.” answered Solon.
Conceding this was a good life, and hoping he would at least be named second, Croesus then asked Solon who else he would consider the happiest of men he had met.
“The brothers Cleobis and Bito because they lived a good life and good death.” replied Solon.
Croesus was infuriated. He yelled: “You ordinary man of Athens, am I not the happiest man in the world? You count my happiness as nothing?”
Solon replied calmly: “Your Majesty, in truth, I count no man happy until his death, for no man can know what the gods may have in store for him. Often God gives men a gleam of happiness, and then plunges them into ruin. He who unites his strengths, and retaining them till his last day, dies peacefully, that man alone, is entitled to bear the name of 'happy.'"
Croesus sent Solon away, thinking his reputation for wisdom overrated.
Years passed. Everything was going fine for Croesus until one fateful day, when his son Atys was killed while hunting a boar at Olympus. Croesus was grief stricken and grieved for his son for two years until he was alerted that Persians under the King Cyrus the great were gaining power. Cyrus was tall, dark and well built man. Croesus decided that he should check them sooner than later. He sent his emissaries to the great Oracle at Delphi to know whether he should go to war against the Persian Empire. An oracle was a person who acted as wise counsel or prophetic predictions of the future, inspired by the gods. The Oracle answered that if Croesus attacked the Persians, he would destroy a great empire. Pleased by this answer, Croesus went out to fight against the Persian army at the Halys river.
A terrific battle ensued for days. Halys river, now filled with blood and floating dead corps, looked red. But it was a draw and Croesus marched his force back to Sardis where the army was disbanded for the winter. Croesus expected Cyrus to do the same, as this was the custom. But Cyrus instead pressed the attack, massacred Croesus’ remaining cavalry and captured Croesus. For daring to raise an army against the Persian Empire, Cyrus ordered Croesus to be burned alive. When Croesus saw the orange flames of the pyre lapping towards him, he remembered Solon’s words and cried out, "O Solon! Solon! Solon!"
Cyrus was startled by this. He asked his interpreters to find out why he said these words with such resignation and agony. Croesus told the story of Solon’s visit and told “Now I know how no man can be counted happy until after his death. O great King, I was misled by the Oracle at Delphi. When she said 'he would destroy a great empire' it was my empire that would be destroyed and not yours. Kindly pardon me and grant me lease of life.”
Cyrus was so moved by this story that he ordered Croesus to be released and kept him as his wise counselor.
Often God gives a gleam of happiness, and then plunges us into ruin. Challenge is to combine our strengths, live a meaningful life and aim a peaceful death!
