Trying to make yourself happy all the time is a fickle beast, for a while it seems to work fine, but a single turn of fortune can whisk it away from you.
If fortune could whisk it away, I'd say that you've made the fundamental error of pursuing purely external values instead of values that have an internal aspect. Note that I'm not advocating the pursuit of purely external values.
By contrast, a life spent in love and the service of others is a constant source of contentment.
Not necessarily. I've known miserable people who spend their lives in love and service of others. People need something of their own to cherish and esteem, not selfless servitude. Generosity only in moderation, and disregard this advice at your peril!
I'm not at all arguing that people shouldn't care about other people. I think it is great to have loved ones who one treats with respect and kindness. I'm saying that this is not enough for fulfillment in life.
When you perish, what becomes of the works you have done for yourself? They vanish.
When I perish, the issue of happiness versus unhappiness is moot. I don't
need my works to outlast my death.
*I* am my most important work, and I will be with me my whole life. That is enough.
It is a fruitless endeavor, and though you may not ever see the results of your vanity, I would be hard-pressed to call a long string of worthless acts human flourishing.
I too would be hard-pressed to call a long string of worthless acts human flourishing.
However, I am confident to call a long string of
worthwhile acts human flourishing.
By contrast, the works of one who serves others continue to bear fruit in many and unpredictable ways long after their time is complete.
Possibly so, but the works of one who serves himself through creative and productive action continue to bear fruit in many and unpredictable ways long after their time is complete. And best of all, this doesn't require any self-destruction.
Such a society, in which the care and illumination of others is the priority rather than the sharply conceived self; wherein works of charity, the practice of creativity, and the teaching of wisdom predominate, is closer to my notion of a eudaimon humanity.
Then we differ on what sacrifice entails, since I'm talking about a
broadly-conceived self, and I associate creativity and the teaching of wisdom with justified self-interest. Even kind-acts-in-wise-moderation (charitable acts consistent with one's well-being, not sacrificing one's well-being) would also be justified self-interest.
eudaimonia,
Mark
), helping them gain the confidence and self-esteem that they are lacking. (Think "Rhythm is it" in small. 
