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| Torquato Tasso |
Happiness is the deep desire of every human soul. All people seek happiness, young and old.
Where can such a precious treasure be found, and how can someone obtain it in this world and thus be happy.
This question was presented by King Charles IX of France (1550-1574) to the famous poet Torquato Tasso.
Manso, the biographer of Charles IX, presents the conversation as follows:
Charles: "Who is the happiest of beings?"
Tasso: "God."
Charles: "But who among men?"
Tasso: "Whoever the most resembles God."
Charles: "How can a man most resemble God: by lording it over others, or by conferring benefits upon them?"
Tasso: "By virtue."
Seeking after virtue was the way of life of all the saints of the Church, yet it was not to be happy, but to most resemble God, following the command of the Savior: "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matt. 5:48). The saints sought to be like their most Beloved, even if it cost them their own happiness. Therefore, because the saints sought primarily to most resemble God through virtue, they became happy in Him.