Pursuit of Happiness
By the "absolute rights" of individuals is meant those which are so in their primary and strictest sense, such as would belong to their persons merely in a state of nature, and which every man is entitled to enjoy, whether out of society or in it. The rights of personal security, of personal liberty, and private property do not depend upon the Constitution for their existence. They existed before the Constitution was made, or the government was organized. These are what are termed the "absolute rights" of individuals, which belong to them independently of all government, and which all governments which derive their power from the consent of the governed were instituted to protect
A feature of happiness is leading a meaningful life. Peoples idea of happiness, for theirselves as adults and for their children, is to have a sense that life has some significance.
Happiness is also demonstrated as being able to live as an effective adult. People are not going to be a happy individual in a society if their not functioning effectively in that society, something that is very time- and culture-dependent.