Happiness vs. Pleasure — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 16, 2023
Happiness is a prolonged emotional state of contentment and well-being; Pleasure is a fleeting feeling of joy or satisfaction often from a specific source.
Difference Between Happiness and Pleasure
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Happiness typically denotes a deeper, more enduring state of positive well-being, often stemming from internal sources or overall contentment with life. On the contrary, Pleasure is often an immediate and momentary response to an external stimulus or specific experience.
While Happiness can be seen as the satisfaction with one's life as a whole, Pleasure is generally derived from individual experiences or activities, such as eating a good meal or listening to one's favorite song.
A key difference is sustainability; Happiness tends to persist regardless of external factors and is less susceptible to immediate changes in one's environment. Pleasure, however, can be fleeting and is often dependent on specific circumstances.
Philosophically, many argue that Happiness is an inner journey and an end in itself, representing an overall contentment with one's life. In contrast, Pleasure is seen as a means to an end, providing temporary joy but not necessarily leading to long-term contentment.
Culturally, the pursuit of Happiness often involves personal growth, building relationships, and finding purpose. Chasing Pleasure, though enjoyable, can sometimes lead to short-lived satisfaction and might not contribute to one's overall sense of well-being.
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Comparison Chart
Duration
Long-term
Short-term
Source
Internal, overall life contentment
External, specific activities or experiences
Philosophical View
End in itself
Means to an end
Dependency
Less reliant on immediate surroundings
Often depends on specific circumstances
Cultural Implication
Associated with life satisfaction and fulfillment
Often linked to immediate joys and indulgences
Compare with Definitions
Happiness
A lasting inner state of peace and satisfaction.
Mindfulness practices enhanced her overall Happiness.
Pleasure
Sensual gratification or satisfaction.
He took Pleasure in the luxuries of his new home.
Happiness
Joy or satisfaction derived from positive outcomes.
Winning the lottery brought them sudden Happiness.
Pleasure
Pleasure refers to experience that feels good, that involves the enjoyment of something. It contrasts with pain or suffering, which are forms of feeling bad.
Happiness
A harmonious feeling with one's life situation.
He felt Happiness with his simple yet meaningful life.
Pleasure
A feeling of happy satisfaction and enjoyment
She smiled with pleasure at being praised
Happiness
The experience of joy, contentment, or positive well-being.
Their family radiated Happiness during the reunion.
Pleasure
Used or intended for entertainment rather than business
Pleasure boats
Happiness
The term happiness is used in the context of mental or emotional states, including positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. It is also used in the context of life satisfaction, subjective well-being, eudaimonia, flourishing and well-being.Since the 1960s, happiness research has been conducted in a wide variety of scientific disciplines, including gerontology, social psychology and positive psychology, clinical and medical research and happiness economics.
Pleasure
Give sexual enjoyment or satisfaction to
Tell me what will pleasure you
Happiness
Enjoying, showing, or marked by pleasure, satisfaction, or joy
A happy child.
The happiest day of my life.
Pleasure
The state or feeling of being pleased or gratified.
Happiness
Cheerful; willing
Happy to help.
Pleasure
A source of enjoyment or delight
The graceful skaters were a pleasure to watch.
Happiness
Characterized by good luck
A happy sequence of events.
Pleasure
Amusement, diversion, or worldly enjoyment
"Pleasure ... is a safer guide than either right or duty" (Samuel Butler).
Happiness
Being especially well-adapted; felicitous
A happy turn of phrase.
Pleasure
Sensual gratification or indulgence.
Happiness
Characterized by a spontaneous or obsessive inclination to use something. Often used in combination
Trigger-happy.
Pleasure
One's preference or wish
What is your pleasure?.
Happiness
Enthusiastic about or involved with to a disproportionate degree. Often used in combination
Money-happy.
Clothes-happy.
Pleasure
To give pleasure or enjoyment to; gratify
Our host pleasured us with his company.
Happiness
(uncountable) The emotion of being happy; joy.
Pleasure
To take pleasure; delight
The hiker paused, pleasuring in the sounds of the forest.
Happiness
Prosperity, thriving, wellbeing.
Pleasure
To go in search of pleasure or enjoyment.
Happiness
Good luck; good fortune.
Pleasure
(uncountable) A state of being pleased or contented; gratification.
He remembered with pleasure his home and family.
I get a lot of pleasure from watching others work hard while I relax.
Happiness
Fortuitous elegance; unstudied grace; — used especially of language.
Pleasure
(countable) A person, thing or action that causes enjoyment.
It was a pleasure to meet you.
Having a good night's sleep is one of life's little pleasures.
Happiness
Good luck; good fortune; prosperity.
All happiness bechance to thee in Milan!
Pleasure
(uncountable) One's preference.
What is your pleasure: coffee or tea?
Happiness
An agreeable feeling or condition of the soul arising from good fortune or propitious happening of any kind; the possession of those circumstances or that state of being which is attended with enjoyment; the state of being happy; contentment; joyful satisfaction; felicity; blessedness.
Pleasure
The will or desire of someone or some agency in power.
To hold an office at pleasure: to hold it indefinitely until it is revoked
At Congress's pleasure: whenever or as long as Congress desires
Happiness
Fortuitous elegance; unstudied grace; - used especially of language.
Some beauties yet no precepts can declare,For there's a happiness, as well as care.
O happiness! our being's end and aim!
Others in virtue place felicity,But virtue joined with riches and long life;In corporal pleasures he, and careless ease.
His overthrow heaped happiness upon him;For then, and not till then, he felt himself,And found the blessedness of being little.
Pleasure
Pleased to meet you, "It's my pleasure"
Happiness
State of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
Pleasure
(transitive) To give or afford pleasure to.
Happiness
Emotions experienced when in a state of well-being
Pleasure
(transitive) To give sexual pleasure to.
Johnny pleasured Jackie with his mouth last night.
Happiness
A state of well-being and contentment.
Finding purpose in life brought her true Happiness.
Pleasure
To take pleasure; to seek or pursue pleasure.
To go pleasuring
Pleasure
The gratification of the senses or of the mind; agreeable sensations or emotions; the excitement, relish, or happiness produced by the expectation or the enjoyment of something good, delightful, or satisfying; - opposed to pain, sorrow, etc.
At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Pleasure
Amusement; sport; diversion; self-indulgence; frivolous or dissipating enjoyment; hence, sensual gratification; - opposed to labor, service, duty, self-denial, etc.
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man.
Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.
Pleasure
What the will dictates or prefers as gratifying or satisfying; hence, will; choice; wish; purpose.
Use your pleasure; if your love do not presuade you to come, let not my letter.
Pleasure
That which pleases; a favor; a gratification.
Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure
Pleasure
To give or afford pleasure to; to please; to gratify.
[Rolled] his hoop to pleasure Edith.
Pleasure
To take pleasure; to seek pursue pleasure; as, to go pleasuring.
Pleasure
A fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience;
He was tingling with pleasure
Pleasure
Something or someone that provides pleasure; a source of happiness;
A joy to behold
The pleasure of his company
The new car is a delight
Pleasure
A formal expression;
He serves at the pleasure of the President
Pleasure
An activity that affords enjoyment;
He puts duty before pleasure
Pleasure
Sexual gratification;
He took his pleasure of her
Pleasure
A feeling of joy or delight derived from a particular experience.
The Pleasure of the first sip of coffee in the morning is unmatched.
Pleasure
A source of delight or joy.
Reading has always been a Pleasure for her.
Pleasure
An immediate and positive response to an external stimulus.
The song gave him immense Pleasure.
Pleasure
Enjoyment or satisfaction derived from what is to one's liking.
It was a Pleasure to watch the sunset by the beach.
Common Curiosities
Can we experience Pleasure without Happiness?
Yes, it's possible to experience Pleasure without overall Happiness.
Is Happiness always tied to external events?
No, Happiness often stems from internal contentment, whereas Pleasure is frequently tied to external events.
Is the pursuit of Pleasure the same as seeking Happiness?
No, pursuing Pleasure might not necessarily lead to lasting Happiness.
Is Happiness longer lasting than Pleasure?
Yes, Happiness is typically a prolonged state, while Pleasure is more fleeting.
Can Pleasure lead to Happiness?
While Pleasure can contribute to moments of joy, sustained Happiness often requires deeper contentment.
Can one be happy without experiencing Pleasure?
Yes, Happiness can exist without constant Pleasure, as it's a deeper state of contentment.
Is Happiness subjective?
Yes, Happiness is subjective and can vary from person to person, just as Pleasure can.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
