How to build a life

The Ciceronian Secret to Happiness

To feel good, do good.

First published in The Atlantic on July 3, 2025

by Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic
July 10, 2025 | reading time: 6 Min.

I do a lot of public speaking for business leaders about how using the science of happiness can improve their organization and make life easier for everyone. But there’s one question I get very frequently: “What about when I have to do hard things that make people unhappy?” For example: having to fire someone, or asking people to make sacrifices. How do I think about this common scenario?

© SZ - You can acquire rights to the article here.