There is a Web site called the “World Database of Happiness.” It combines and analyzes the results of hundreds of surveys from around the world that have been conducted on life satisfaction. Most of the findings are predictable, but a few are surprising.

The database makes it clear that there is not a strong connection between material wealth and general contentment. It is a cliché to say that money can’t buy happiness, but the old saying seems to be supported by research. Many people still cling to the belief that gaining riches will be the answer to all their problems, yet they are probably mistaken.

Studies have been carried out on people who acquired sudden wealth, such as lottery winners. In most cases, after the initial joy had worn off, people were not left with a sense of lasting happiness. In fact, they tended to revert to the way they felt before they became rich. Previously contented people continue to be contented, while those who were miserable before sink back into misery.

If material wealth does not bring happiness, then what does? Perhaps happiness has something to do with where you live. The authorities at the World Database on Happiness have surveyed levels of happiness in different countries. Apparently, people in America, Canada, and Singapore are very happy; people living in India and Russia, not surprisingly, are not happy.

Other surveys consistently point to the importance of relationships. Family relationships in particular seem to be the key to long-term contentment. The Web site suggests that falling in love and having children are two of the situations that bring the greatest happiness.

Nowadays people look to technology as an alternative source of satisfaction. People increasingly spend more time alone watching TV or surfing the Internet rather than spending time with family. Can technology truly make people happy? It is too difficult to tell, but one thing is sure: If the Web site’s research is accurate, time spent with your family is a better investment than time spent making money.

有一个网站叫 “世界幸福数据库”。它综合并分析了来自世界各地对生活满意度所做的上百个调查得出的结果。大多数结果都在意料之中，不过也有一些意外。

这个数据库表明物质生活的富裕和整体的满意度并没有太大的联系。虽然 “金钱买不到幸福”已是陈词，但研究结果似乎证实这句俗话。许多人仍然坚信得到财富就可以解决他们所有的问题，但他们可能错了。

研究一夕致富的人，比如赢得彩票奖金的人，在大多数情形下，最初的欣喜逐渐消失后，人们心中并没有留下持久幸福的感觉。事实上，他们往往又回到致富前的心理状态。过去满足的人仍然很满足，而那些在过去郁郁寡欢的人则又重拾悲伤。

如果物质生活的富裕无法带来快乐，那么到底什么才能使人快乐呢？也许快乐和你居住的地方有关。 “世界幸福数据库”的专家调查了不同国家的快乐程度。显而易见，美国，加拿大和新加坡的人非常快乐，而住在印度和俄罗斯的人，毫不意外地并不快乐。

其它调查结果一致指出各种人际关系的重要性。尤其家庭关系似乎是令人能长久感到满足的关键。这个网站指出坠入情网和生儿育女是给人们带来最大幸福的两大源泉。

现在人们指望科技能成为满足感的另一个来源。人们把越来越多的时间花在一个人看电视或上网，而并非与家人共聚。科技真的能使人幸福吗？这很难说，但有一件事是可以确定的：如果这个网站的研究结果精确，和赚钱花的时间相比，与家人共度的时光是更好的投资。