Things that we normally hold to be valuable, such as wealth, intelligence, and courage, are valued only in relation to other things, rather than being valued on their own, and that happiness is the only thing valuable in isolation.  It is not one swallow or one fine day that makes a spring, so it is not one day or a short time that makes a man blessed and happy.  Aristotle was convinced that a genuinely happy life required the fulfillment of a broad range of conditions, including physical as well as mental well-being. Aristotle is one of the greatest thinkers in the history of western science and philosophy, making contributions to logic, metaphysics, mathematics, physics, biology, botany, ethics, politics, agriculture, medicine, dance and theatre. He was a student of Plato who in turn studied under Socrates.

As per Aristotle's teacher Plato, the question “How can I be happy?” is equivalent to “How can I live a good life?” The characteristic question of ancient ethics is “How can I be happy?” and the basic answer to it is “by means of virtue.”