Calvin is giving us a masterclass in the philosophy of happiness.
Kurt Vonnegut explained it another way when he said that whenever we find ourselves in a moment of happiness, however fleeting, we should stop and say out loud “If this isn’t nice, I don’t what is”. Acknowledge it. Acknowledge that you know nice. I’ve tried it and it’s very satisfying. He said this in a couple of his books, and in speeches he gave. Here’s a quote from one of his essays:
And now I want to tell you about my late Uncle Alex. He was my father’s kid brother, a childless graduate of Harvard who was an honest life insurance salesman in Indianapolis. He was well-read and wise. And his principal complaint about other human beings was that they so seldom noticed it when they were happy. So when we were drinking lemonade under an apple tree in the summer, say, and talking lazily about this and that, almost buzzing like honeybees, Uncle Alex would suddenly interrupt the agreeable blather to exclaim, “If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.”So I do the same now, and so do my kids and grandkids. And I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, “If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.”
@Sandy Shore, My grandfather would say, at random moments of happiness, “I wonder what the poor people are doing?” He wasn’t talking about people without money.
Ah, I can try to influence the government—and I do—and I can try to educate those near to me—and I do—but the only person I can really change is myself. And I find all sorts of evil inclinations and prejudices that I need to change. I have plenty of work to do before I’m done.
Unfortunately Indianapolis is under water use restrictions and I don’t think water bombs are allowed. Too bad – with the temps we’ve had in July a good soaking would be welcome.
Life may be sweet, but Calvin’s life is also likely to be shortened if he hits Susie, Hobbes or eithrt of his long suffering parents with the water bomb.
there are days when I look up into the trees, and the sun is coming thru just so, and say to myself, what a beautiful day… it produces the same feeling as holding a water-balloon, marveling at its potential…
The amazing utility of outside faucets….if Susie hires a bunch of kids in the neighborhood to nail Calvin with water balloons, he may have second thoughts about sweet and not so sweet…
Thank you! If anyone is interested, that story (and a few other pearls of wisdom) can be found in Vonnegut’s short novel “Timequake” – a book that’s a cross between a short story and a chat with the author. ( & A very good read).@rogue53 :) Vonnegut suggested – I just repeat. And I expect it is old wisdom, as CA Alderson’s story suggests. I agree with you about simplicity! Nice to have the choice to make though. @ZombieKitten lol! Especially Mondays.
rentier about 12 years ago
Revenge is sweet!
BE THIS GUY about 12 years ago
To be 6.
pouncingtiger about 12 years ago
Until Susie or Hobbes mauls you again, Calvin.
pouncingtiger about 12 years ago
I like the illustration of Calvin’s demonic expression in the 3rd panel.
anushcbe about 12 years ago
Sure its so so so sweet.
bmonk about 12 years ago
Evil is sweet—until we begin to care about others. Calvin has yet to expand his definition of “fully human” beyond himself and Hobbes.
King_Shark about 12 years ago
Sweetness is going to last approximately thirty seconds longer until Hobbes slips a talon into that balloon…:|
Phapada about 12 years ago
I dun Believe it …………..so difficult life
Sandy Shore about 12 years ago
Calvin is giving us a masterclass in the philosophy of happiness.
Kurt Vonnegut explained it another way when he said that whenever we find ourselves in a moment of happiness, however fleeting, we should stop and say out loud “If this isn’t nice, I don’t what is”. Acknowledge it. Acknowledge that you know nice. I’ve tried it and it’s very satisfying. He said this in a couple of his books, and in speeches he gave. Here’s a quote from one of his essays:
And now I want to tell you about my late Uncle Alex. He was my father’s kid brother, a childless graduate of Harvard who was an honest life insurance salesman in Indianapolis. He was well-read and wise. And his principal complaint about other human beings was that they so seldom noticed it when they were happy. So when we were drinking lemonade under an apple tree in the summer, say, and talking lazily about this and that, almost buzzing like honeybees, Uncle Alex would suddenly interrupt the agreeable blather to exclaim, “If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.”So I do the same now, and so do my kids and grandkids. And I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, “If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.”
GROG Premium Member about 12 years ago
And again I say, do you feel lucky, punk?
RavennaAl about 12 years ago
It’s the little things in life that bring the most pleasure…
celeconecca about 12 years ago
an-ti-ci-pation
Hobbes Premium Member about 12 years ago
Click here: Peanuts (February 18, 1965)
rshive about 12 years ago
Happiness is a loaded water balloon and knowing you’re going to use it. Bear in mind though that the happiness may vanish the second you do.
Puddleglum2 about 12 years ago
@RavennaAl,“It’s the little things in life that bring the most pleasure…”Do you mean “size doesn’t matter”?
Puddleglum2 about 12 years ago
With a water balloon, “life is so, so sweet”.Without a water balloon, life is so, so so!
Puddleglum2 about 12 years ago
Panel 3 doesn’t look “so, so sweet”, but when Mom asks Calvin what ‘possessed’ him to do that, he can say, “The devil made me do it”!
Puddleglum2 about 12 years ago
“Life is so, so sweet.” …but soon Calvin will be in a pickle!
Vonne Anton about 12 years ago
Panel 3 makes this delicious…(hmm…@Puddleglum2 – a delicious sweet pickle?)
graycie5198 about 12 years ago
@Sandy Shore, My grandfather would say, at random moments of happiness, “I wonder what the poor people are doing?” He wasn’t talking about people without money.
sonnygreen about 12 years ago
Peace keeping Calvin has stumbled upon “deterrent”. He’s got the makings for starting his own government.
jadoo823 about 12 years ago
…toss that, and life will be so, so short…
Jkiss about 12 years ago
Enjoy it while you can Calvin. Your immediate future doesn’t look so sweet because you know what they say about paybacks.
Rickapolis about 12 years ago
‘Wake up little Susie…’, Calvin is lying in wait.
cookies333 about 12 years ago
The joy of a water balloon! : )
bmonk about 12 years ago
Ah, I can try to influence the government—and I do—and I can try to educate those near to me—and I do—but the only person I can really change is myself. And I find all sorts of evil inclinations and prejudices that I need to change. I have plenty of work to do before I’m done.
Number Three about 12 years ago
Calvin drops the water balloon in 3…2…1….
The 3rd Panel scares me but it’s still really good!
LOL xxx
galanti about 12 years ago
Unfortunately Indianapolis is under water use restrictions and I don’t think water bombs are allowed. Too bad – with the temps we’ve had in July a good soaking would be welcome.
Spyderred about 12 years ago
Life may be sweet, but Calvin’s life is also likely to be shortened if he hits Susie, Hobbes or eithrt of his long suffering parents with the water bomb.
cezpaige about 12 years ago
Anticipation…. is making me crazy, keeping me waiting.
tuslog64 about 12 years ago
Savor the moment, but realize that water ballons (sp) have been known to break in your hands -——
amaryllis2 Premium Member about 12 years ago
Thank you, Sandy Shore!
ratlum about 12 years ago
To day he feels like a powerful king ,who should he surprise Susie,Hobbes Moe Mom,Dad?I have to wait till tomorrow I guess to find out.
gkphillips78 about 12 years ago
there are days when I look up into the trees, and the sun is coming thru just so, and say to myself, what a beautiful day… it produces the same feeling as holding a water-balloon, marveling at its potential…
Karaboo2 about 12 years ago
Life would be sweeter with 25 water bombs Calvin. Hahaha
khpage about 12 years ago
The amazing utility of outside faucets….if Susie hires a bunch of kids in the neighborhood to nail Calvin with water balloons, he may have second thoughts about sweet and not so sweet…
hyu12345 about 12 years ago
let the waterballoon fight begin.
calvinsfriend110 about 12 years ago
True, true!
Popeyesforearm about 12 years ago
And he’s The Candyman.
jessiethepoet about 12 years ago
miss wormwood is watching u cal
BigNate+CalvinandHobbes=:) about 12 years ago
I agree Calvin
Sciatic about 12 years ago
we used to split up the neighborhood and fill up buckets with water balloons and then have huge battles. Life definitely is sweet
Sandy Shore about 12 years ago
Oh lol! So I did! Kind of important that bit. It’s lucky that C&H readers are puzzle solvers.
Sandy Shore about 12 years ago
@It is Alive!, @amaryllis2, @Molly mcgee
Thank you! If anyone is interested, that story (and a few other pearls of wisdom) can be found in Vonnegut’s short novel “Timequake” – a book that’s a cross between a short story and a chat with the author. ( & A very good read).@rogue53 :) Vonnegut suggested – I just repeat. And I expect it is old wisdom, as CA Alderson’s story suggests. I agree with you about simplicity! Nice to have the choice to make though. @ZombieKitten lol! Especially Mondays.