“I care far more how humanity lives than how long. Progress, for me, means increasing goodness and happiness of individual lives. For the species, as for each man, mere longevity seems to me a contemptible ideal.”

In context, this would probably get 5 stars plus but, as a stand alone statement, 3 stars at best. Freedom and liberty are pure instigators of inspiration. Such related inspiration progresses by means of increasing individual live's goodness and happiness and, the science that supports life's longevity. It is an accurate observation that, the more willing the slave of the welfare state; life spans may lengthen but the quality or state of being declines in iniquity and, depression, sufferance and unhappiness increases in individual lives.

For me, increasing goodness and happiness is merely relative, but the melody of the song is more important than its length. I believe goodness and happiness are built into life, and the best way to enjoy them are to get out of their way. ;-)