In a letter dated October 31, 1819 Thomas Jefferson wrote the following:

"Happiness the aim of life.
Virtue the foundation of happiness.
Utility the test of virtue...
...Active, consists in agreeable motion; it is not happiness, but the means to produce it."

Mr. Jefferson wrote this letter as a statement of personal philosophy, and I see this quoted portion as a workable outline and progression succinctly consistent with my thoughts on Happiness.

I see Active as rational skepticism in search of personal authenticity and (undiscoverable) universal truths.

I see Utility as productive functional exertion that strives toward personal purpose, and is applicable to some tangible one or some tangible thing.

I see Virtue as balanced understanding that allows an active application of utility that in turn expands personal and universal wisdom.

I see Happiness as pursuit - unceasing, boundless, demanding, and edifying.

I see Quiescence as idle acceptance of this moment's (real or delusional) status quo.

I see Waste as minimal exertion expended solely to avoid discord, conflict, and/or the necessity of a personal opinion.

I see Vice as gross misunderstanding of personal purpose that stifles utility and constricts personal and universal wisdom.

I see Ignorance as hard and fast certainty - unquestioning, unafraid, condescending, and comfortable.

 

First one must choose to be active or not...

...then

...As defined above:

Quiescence leads to Waste which is the champion of Vice which can create circumstance conducive to Ignorance.

...and...

To be Active leads to Utility which is the standard-bearer for Virtue which can urge one toward Happiness.

Choose.