What do you think?
Rate this book
The Pleasures of Life
A series of talks given at school and college occasions.
PART I
CHAPTER I
THE DUTY OF HAPPINESS
CHAPTER II
THE HAPPINESS OF DUTY
CHAPTER III
A SONG OF BOOKS
CHAPTER IV
THE CHOICE OF BOOKS
CHAPTER V
THE BLESSING OF FRIENDS
CHAPTER VI
THE VALUE OF TIME
CHAPTER VII
THE PLEASURES OF TRAVEL
CHAPTER VIII
THE PLEASURES OF HOME
CHAPTER IX
SCIENCE
CHAPTER X
EDUCATION
PART II
CHAPTER I
AMBITION
CHAPTER II
WEALTH
CHAPTER III
HEALTH
CHAPTER IV
LOVE
CHAPTER V
ART
CHAPTER VI
POETRY
CHAPTER VII
MUSIC
CHAPTER VIII
THE BEAUTIES OF NATURE
CHAPTER IX
THE TROUBLES OF LIFE
CHAPTER X
LABOR AND REST
CHAPTER XI
RELIGION
CHAPTER XII
THE HOPE OF PROGRESS
CHAPTER XIII
THE DESTINY OF MAN
PART I
CHAPTER I
THE DUTY OF HAPPINESS
CHAPTER II
THE HAPPINESS OF DUTY
CHAPTER III
A SONG OF BOOKS
CHAPTER IV
THE CHOICE OF BOOKS
CHAPTER V
THE BLESSING OF FRIENDS
CHAPTER VI
THE VALUE OF TIME
CHAPTER VII
THE PLEASURES OF TRAVEL
CHAPTER VIII
THE PLEASURES OF HOME
CHAPTER IX
SCIENCE
CHAPTER X
EDUCATION
PART II
CHAPTER I
AMBITION
CHAPTER II
WEALTH
CHAPTER III
HEALTH
CHAPTER IV
LOVE
CHAPTER V
ART
CHAPTER VI
POETRY
CHAPTER VII
MUSIC
CHAPTER VIII
THE BEAUTIES OF NATURE
CHAPTER IX
THE TROUBLES OF LIFE
CHAPTER X
LABOR AND REST
CHAPTER XI
RELIGION
CHAPTER XII
THE HOPE OF PROGRESS
CHAPTER XIII
THE DESTINY OF MAN
164 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1890
29 people are currently reading
279 people want to read
About the author
John Lubbock
639 books58 followersThe Right Honourable John Lubbock, 1st Baron Avebury PC FRS DCL LLD (30 April 1834 – 28 May 1913), known as Sir John Lubbock, 4th Baronet from 1865 until 1900, was a banker, Liberal politician, philanthropist, scientist and polymath.
He was a banker and worked with his family’s company, but also made significant contributions in archaeology, ethnography, and several branches of biology. He helped establish archaeology as a scientific discipline, and was also influential in nineteenth-century debates concerning evolutionary theory.
In addition to his work at his father’s bank, Lubbock took a keen interest in archaeology and evolutionary theory. He spoke in support of the evolutionist Thomas Henry Huxley at the famous 1860 Oxford evolution debate. During the 1860s, he published many articles in which he used archaeological evidence to support Darwin’s theory. In 1864, he became one of the founding members (along with Thomas Henry Huxley and others) of the elite X Club, a dining club composed of nine gentlemen to promote the theories of natural selection and academic liberalism. In 1865 he succeeded to the baronetcy. During the 1860s he held a number of influential academic positions, including President of the Ethnological Society from 1864–65, Vice-President of Linnean Society in 1865, and President of the International Congress of Prehistoric Archaeology in 1868. In 1865 he published Pre-Historic Times, which became a standard archaeology textbook for the remainder of the century, with the seventh and final edition published in 1913.
His second book, On the Origin of Civilization, was published in 1870. During 1871, he purchased part of the Avebury estate to protect its prehistoric stone monuments from impending destruction. During the early 1870s, he held the position of President of the Royal Anthropological Society from 1871–73, as well as the position of Vice President of the Royal Society in 1871. During this period he worked with John Evans, the other key figure in the establishment of the discipline of archaeology.
In 1865 Lubbock published what was possibly the most influential archaeological text book of the nineteenth century, Pre-historic times, as illustrated by ancient remains, and the manners and customs of modern savages. He invented the terms "Palaeolithic" and "Neolithic" to denote the Old and New Stone Ages respectively. More notably, he introduced a Darwinian-type theory of human nature and development. "What was new was Lubbock’s ... insistence that, as a result of natural selection, human groups had become different from each other, not only culturally, but also in their biological capacities to utilize culture."
He had extensive correspondence with Charles Darwin, who lived nearby in Down House. Lubbock stayed in Downe except for a brief period from 1861–65, when he lived in Chislehurst. Both men were active advocates of English spelling reform, and members of the Spelling reform Association, precursor to the Simplified Spelling Society. Darwin rented land, originally from Lubbock’s father, for the Sandwalk wood where he performed his daily exercise, and in 1874 agreed with Lubbock to exchange the land for a piece of pasture in Darwin’s property. When Darwin died in 1882, Lubbock suggested the honour of burial in Westminster Abbey, organising a letter to the dean to arrange this, and was one of the pallbearers.
He was a banker and worked with his family’s company, but also made significant contributions in archaeology, ethnography, and several branches of biology. He helped establish archaeology as a scientific discipline, and was also influential in nineteenth-century debates concerning evolutionary theory.
In addition to his work at his father’s bank, Lubbock took a keen interest in archaeology and evolutionary theory. He spoke in support of the evolutionist Thomas Henry Huxley at the famous 1860 Oxford evolution debate. During the 1860s, he published many articles in which he used archaeological evidence to support Darwin’s theory. In 1864, he became one of the founding members (along with Thomas Henry Huxley and others) of the elite X Club, a dining club composed of nine gentlemen to promote the theories of natural selection and academic liberalism. In 1865 he succeeded to the baronetcy. During the 1860s he held a number of influential academic positions, including President of the Ethnological Society from 1864–65, Vice-President of Linnean Society in 1865, and President of the International Congress of Prehistoric Archaeology in 1868. In 1865 he published Pre-Historic Times, which became a standard archaeology textbook for the remainder of the century, with the seventh and final edition published in 1913.
His second book, On the Origin of Civilization, was published in 1870. During 1871, he purchased part of the Avebury estate to protect its prehistoric stone monuments from impending destruction. During the early 1870s, he held the position of President of the Royal Anthropological Society from 1871–73, as well as the position of Vice President of the Royal Society in 1871. During this period he worked with John Evans, the other key figure in the establishment of the discipline of archaeology.
In 1865 Lubbock published what was possibly the most influential archaeological text book of the nineteenth century, Pre-historic times, as illustrated by ancient remains, and the manners and customs of modern savages. He invented the terms "Palaeolithic" and "Neolithic" to denote the Old and New Stone Ages respectively. More notably, he introduced a Darwinian-type theory of human nature and development. "What was new was Lubbock’s ... insistence that, as a result of natural selection, human groups had become different from each other, not only culturally, but also in their biological capacities to utilize culture."
He had extensive correspondence with Charles Darwin, who lived nearby in Down House. Lubbock stayed in Downe except for a brief period from 1861–65, when he lived in Chislehurst. Both men were active advocates of English spelling reform, and members of the Spelling reform Association, precursor to the Simplified Spelling Society. Darwin rented land, originally from Lubbock’s father, for the Sandwalk wood where he performed his daily exercise, and in 1874 agreed with Lubbock to exchange the land for a piece of pasture in Darwin’s property. When Darwin died in 1882, Lubbock suggested the honour of burial in Westminster Abbey, organising a letter to the dean to arrange this, and was one of the pallbearers.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 4, 2024
John picks up a very ordinary topic that we wouldn't normally bother to investigate and throws light on various things that can be considered a pleasure.
I read selectively based on my interest. Leisure is just one chapter which I skipped. There's are other chapters which I found interesting:
* Health
* Music
* Nature
* Troubles of life
* Labour and rest
* The hope of progress
* Pleasures of travel
* The happiness of duty
One thing that stuck with me is his mentioning the benefits of walking to your destination in order to see the world more instead of using a quick transport.
He also stressed on how education should be about developing the mind and a love for learning rather than forcing some knowledge.
I read selectively based on my interest. Leisure is just one chapter which I skipped. There's are other chapters which I found interesting:
* Health
* Music
* Nature
* Troubles of life
* Labour and rest
* The hope of progress
* Pleasures of travel
* The happiness of duty
One thing that stuck with me is his mentioning the benefits of walking to your destination in order to see the world more instead of using a quick transport.
He also stressed on how education should be about developing the mind and a love for learning rather than forcing some knowledge.
July 26, 2018
This is the sort of book which you can flip open and read any excerpt from. Sir John Lubbock was certainly well educated, as his almost constant references to myth, history and art speak to. Because of the robust use of references and quotes, I think of this book as a composite of thoughts of ages past, more than a book by one author.
While it's a pleasant and interesting read on its own, it also serves as a jumping-off point to further reading. I want to read Cicero, Plato, Ruskin, and plenty of myth after reading this little volume.
While it's a pleasant and interesting read on its own, it also serves as a jumping-off point to further reading. I want to read Cicero, Plato, Ruskin, and plenty of myth after reading this little volume.
May 28, 2019
This book was the source of a quote that I came across in the dialogue of a TV show. I tracked it down and found it an enjoyable read. At times the author, Sir John Lubbock, seemed very modern in his outlook, but at others his thinking was obviously shaped by the biases of his time. I felt that the book over-relied on quotes from other sources. However, this is also a strength because there are several quotes that I want follow up on and read in their original sources.
September 22, 2025
Lots of great sound bites in this one!
To be happy ourselves, is a most effectual contribution to the happiness of others.
Each day is a little life.
It is obvious that we cannot measure the infinite by our own narrow limitations.
Also, I got several recommendations for books to add to my TBR, including the apparently first self help book published in 1859.
To be happy ourselves, is a most effectual contribution to the happiness of others.
Each day is a little life.
It is obvious that we cannot measure the infinite by our own narrow limitations.
Also, I got several recommendations for books to add to my TBR, including the apparently first self help book published in 1859.
January 25, 2012
A few of the first essays were very interesting, but the later ones seemed very dated to me.
March 13, 2014
Well, in some sections the book was boring, and yet it was an interesting book. It was interesting to know what existed, happened, and used to be a scholar's view back then in the 19th century.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews