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How To Be Happy: Saint Thomas' Secret to a Good Life
What brings us real and lasting happiness?
Although just about every marketing firm, self-help guru, and man on the street has an answer, very few, if any, understand true happiness. It doesn't come from power, pleasure, popularity, or possessions. So what is happiness and how do we find it?
In How to Be Happy, author Matt Fradd relies on the help of St. Thomas Aquinas to show what will—and what won't—bring us happiness in this life.
By making the thought of Aquinas utterly accessible for today, How to Be Happy is an invaluable guide to a good life.
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"In a couple of my books, I tried to show that St. Thomas Aquinas is both easy to understand and practical; in this book, Matt Fradd makes him really easy to understand and really practical."
--Peter Kreeft
"Even many Catholics probably imagine that the ideas of St. Thomas Aquinas could only be of interest or understandable to theologians, philosophers, and other intellectuals. Nothing could be further from the truth, as Matt Fradd shows. This engaging book conveys the wisdom of the Angelic Doctor in a way that is accessible, practical, and witty."
--Edward Feser, Professor of Philosophy, Pasadena City College
"St. Thomas Aquinas is known for his towering intellect, but his incredibly down-to-earth wisdom about how to find happiness is accessible to all. In this short book, Matt Fradd presents the Angelic Doctor's roadmap to joy, which includes relaxing baths, growth in virtue, how to master our emotions, and more!"
--Jason Evert, Founder of Chastity Project
“The pursuit of happiness didn't get underway with Thomas Jefferson or the pop psychology publishing industry of the twentieth century or the intriguing findings of the neurosciences in the twenty-first. The question of what makes human beings happy depends upon knowing what human beings are for. In pursuit of these questions, Fradd heeds the guidance of many wise, and I presume, happy minds—chief of which is Thomas Aquinas, who was called the Angelic Doctor for good reason. Find out why. Your happiness depends on it.”
-- Al Kresta, President of Ave Maria Radio and Host of "Kresta in the Afternoon"
Although just about every marketing firm, self-help guru, and man on the street has an answer, very few, if any, understand true happiness. It doesn't come from power, pleasure, popularity, or possessions. So what is happiness and how do we find it?
In How to Be Happy, author Matt Fradd relies on the help of St. Thomas Aquinas to show what will—and what won't—bring us happiness in this life.
By making the thought of Aquinas utterly accessible for today, How to Be Happy is an invaluable guide to a good life.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
"In a couple of my books, I tried to show that St. Thomas Aquinas is both easy to understand and practical; in this book, Matt Fradd makes him really easy to understand and really practical."
--Peter Kreeft
"Even many Catholics probably imagine that the ideas of St. Thomas Aquinas could only be of interest or understandable to theologians, philosophers, and other intellectuals. Nothing could be further from the truth, as Matt Fradd shows. This engaging book conveys the wisdom of the Angelic Doctor in a way that is accessible, practical, and witty."
--Edward Feser, Professor of Philosophy, Pasadena City College
"St. Thomas Aquinas is known for his towering intellect, but his incredibly down-to-earth wisdom about how to find happiness is accessible to all. In this short book, Matt Fradd presents the Angelic Doctor's roadmap to joy, which includes relaxing baths, growth in virtue, how to master our emotions, and more!"
--Jason Evert, Founder of Chastity Project
“The pursuit of happiness didn't get underway with Thomas Jefferson or the pop psychology publishing industry of the twentieth century or the intriguing findings of the neurosciences in the twenty-first. The question of what makes human beings happy depends upon knowing what human beings are for. In pursuit of these questions, Fradd heeds the guidance of many wise, and I presume, happy minds—chief of which is Thomas Aquinas, who was called the Angelic Doctor for good reason. Find out why. Your happiness depends on it.”
-- Al Kresta, President of Ave Maria Radio and Host of "Kresta in the Afternoon"
160 pages, Paperback
Published June 14, 2021
50 people are currently reading
407 people want to read
About the author
Matt Fradd
20 books172 followersMatthew Fradd is Australian by birth and Catholic by choice. After experiencing a profound conversion at World Youth Day in Rome in 2000, Matthew committed himself to inviting others to know Jesus Christ and the Church He founded. As a missionary in Canada and Ireland, Matthew proclaimed the Gospel to over ten thousand teens and young adults. Matthew has also served the Church through full-time lay ministry in Australia,Ireland, Canada, and Texas. Matthew has been seen or heard on the BBC, EWTN, The Irish Morning Show, and Catholic Answers Live, where he has shared his personal story of sin, redemption, and healing to people all over the world.
Recently, Matthew, his fearless Texan wife, and their three beautiful children (Liam, Avila, and baby on the way) moved to sunny San Diego where Matthew now works as an Apologist and Speaker with Catholic Answers. Matthew best demonstrates his infectious passion for the faith when he speaks about the many wounds that pornography inflicts, the healing that Christ offers in the Sacraments, and the freedom that the Church proposes in Her teachings on the virtue of chastity.
In recent years, Matthew has confronted our pornographic culture and has launched the website www.theporneffect.com. With patient understanding and yet with firm resolve, Matthew has pointed those who are addicted to or who have been wounded by pornography to the only source of true freedom and lasting healing: Jesus Christ and the Sacraments.
Matthew Fradd has been heard or seen on the BBC, EWTN, The Irish Morning Show, and Catholic Answers Live, and he continues to share his personal story of addiction, redemption, and healing to people all over the world.
Recently, Matthew, his fearless Texan wife, and their three beautiful children (Liam, Avila, and baby on the way) moved to sunny San Diego where Matthew now works as an Apologist and Speaker with Catholic Answers. Matthew best demonstrates his infectious passion for the faith when he speaks about the many wounds that pornography inflicts, the healing that Christ offers in the Sacraments, and the freedom that the Church proposes in Her teachings on the virtue of chastity.
In recent years, Matthew has confronted our pornographic culture and has launched the website www.theporneffect.com. With patient understanding and yet with firm resolve, Matthew has pointed those who are addicted to or who have been wounded by pornography to the only source of true freedom and lasting healing: Jesus Christ and the Sacraments.
Matthew Fradd has been heard or seen on the BBC, EWTN, The Irish Morning Show, and Catholic Answers Live, and he continues to share his personal story of addiction, redemption, and healing to people all over the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 16, 2025
Summarizing St. Thomas Aquinas in about 120 pages is an extraordinary feat in and of itself. And Matt Fradd, who knows the Summa Theologia well, takes a stab at it.
To be clear, this is not a “mini Summa”. The book focuses on how to direct our energies towards the real long-lasting happiness, following a template that St. Thomas used in his Summa.
But it’s a very short book, and the content is very diluted.
The author’s YouTube channel “Pints with Aquinas” is valuable but has always seemed to me more interested in “growing the business” rather than focusing on the heart of christianity — especially based on the frequent choice of secondary but inflammatory topics, and the legalistic conversations that reflect a protestant worldview and environment.
Fradd sees his business as a “ministry”, and he repeatedly referred to himself as the “Joe Rogan” of the catholic world, which doesn’t scream “humility”. Not easy to avoid pride when you have almost a million subscribers - which puts you on an income bracket that’s higher than most investment bankers - and when you constantly operate in the social media world, which is indisputably toxic.
His videos’ thumbnails and titles often sound like clickbait (“he said WHAT about transition therapy??”; “America will become EVIL!!” “The DARK TRUTH about feminism”). Sorry, tone and style do matter.
Anyway, this booklet is a simplified summary of a summary of a summary, so I wouldn’t recommend it.
I’m thinking of reading the Summa Teologica next year (or “trying to”). Just thinking about it, I feel like it’s going to be like climbing mount Everest, although I’m sure the experience will be much more pleasant and fruitful.
To be clear, this is not a “mini Summa”. The book focuses on how to direct our energies towards the real long-lasting happiness, following a template that St. Thomas used in his Summa.
But it’s a very short book, and the content is very diluted.
The author’s YouTube channel “Pints with Aquinas” is valuable but has always seemed to me more interested in “growing the business” rather than focusing on the heart of christianity — especially based on the frequent choice of secondary but inflammatory topics, and the legalistic conversations that reflect a protestant worldview and environment.
Fradd sees his business as a “ministry”, and he repeatedly referred to himself as the “Joe Rogan” of the catholic world, which doesn’t scream “humility”. Not easy to avoid pride when you have almost a million subscribers - which puts you on an income bracket that’s higher than most investment bankers - and when you constantly operate in the social media world, which is indisputably toxic.
His videos’ thumbnails and titles often sound like clickbait (“he said WHAT about transition therapy??”; “America will become EVIL!!” “The DARK TRUTH about feminism”). Sorry, tone and style do matter.
Anyway, this booklet is a simplified summary of a summary of a summary, so I wouldn’t recommend it.
I’m thinking of reading the Summa Teologica next year (or “trying to”). Just thinking about it, I feel like it’s going to be like climbing mount Everest, although I’m sure the experience will be much more pleasant and fruitful.
January 17, 2024
This book was hugely edifying for me. It helped me to conceptualize in an orderly way the disordered state of my inner passions and dispositions, thereby opening a way for me to move forward with greater speed and clearer direction toward happiness.
June 24, 2025
This was really good!! I was really compelled by the thought of a Matt Fradd book, but he did a really nice job making a lot of practical sense of St. Thomas (the Summa in particular).
July 23, 2024
Mogoc kda se preberem Teolosko sumo
July 10, 2022
To be holy is to be happy, is the book in a nutshell as per Saint Thomas as per Matt Fradd. It's as simple and as difficult as carrying your cross daily. A good primer for Aquinas noobs though in no way as comprehensive as A Summa of the Summa.
This was not in my TBR but Matt's lively narration via audiobook propelled me to give it a go.
This was not in my TBR but Matt's lively narration via audiobook propelled me to give it a go.
November 23, 2021
3.5. I like Matt Fradd, I’m a fan, I’ve learned from him over the years, even as a Protestant. This book wasn’t any different, I learned a ton as he helped me think through what we mean when we talk about wanting to be happy. Probably need another read through to really stew in some of Aquinas’ points but I would recommend,
Great but whenever & wherever our theologies of how one is saved diverged I felt like he purposefully chose the path of least resistance and just went with some pretty bad straw men arguments of the Protestant understanding of salvation. His description of the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints should be a textbook analysis of a straw man. I get that this is a popular level book but it was really, really lazy.
Great but whenever & wherever our theologies of how one is saved diverged I felt like he purposefully chose the path of least resistance and just went with some pretty bad straw men arguments of the Protestant understanding of salvation. His description of the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints should be a textbook analysis of a straw man. I get that this is a popular level book but it was really, really lazy.
November 19, 2021
The lessons in this book are learned and wise without ever being dry or pretentious. They are simple without ever being obvious or banal. They manage to be aspirational and immensely practical all at once. This book even manages to be funny without being corny.
Matt Fradd has done such an amazing job with this book that halfway through the audible I decided I needed to buy a hard copy.
I'm sure you will profit from reading and rereading this fantastic book.
Matt Fradd has done such an amazing job with this book that halfway through the audible I decided I needed to buy a hard copy.
I'm sure you will profit from reading and rereading this fantastic book.
September 27, 2022
Well written, short and to the point. Addresses how to cultivate virtue which ultimately leads to true happiness and freedom. We find true rest in Christ.
As for Protestants critiquing the theology, I find it lacking in self awareness that nobody can really address what protestant beliefs are because they vary from each denomination. Also to be upset your beliefs aren’t reflected in a catholic book is just silly.
As for Protestants critiquing the theology, I find it lacking in self awareness that nobody can really address what protestant beliefs are because they vary from each denomination. Also to be upset your beliefs aren’t reflected in a catholic book is just silly.
April 5, 2024
I came into this book looking for a causal read about virtue ethics and living a good life- it was that in more. It was easy to read yet not water down. I enjoy the light humor that was sprinkled in. Absolutely loved this books and will definitely be picking it up again!
July 19, 2022
I wish I could give this 6 stars. Amazingly dense yet palatable. Fradd distills the complexity of core Thomistic principles into that which can be gleaned by the common lay person.
October 29, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. I thought Matt Fradds practical application of Aquinas’ philosophy was great.
January 11, 2025
An excellent introduction to Aquinas and his works. Matt Fradd helped me understand virtue and humility in a beautiful new light. I look forward to diving more into the insights of St. Thomas Aquinas and his teachings of the Summa Theologica.
May 16, 2023
**I wouldn't say my review has spoilers, but it discusses the main thesis of the book.
The book was good, but not very in depth. I would recommend it to someone for light reading who isn't looking for anything too serious. The book was written in a lighthearted, often amusing way.
I think the first part which gave an argument for the existence of God and the last part which gave a guide on reading the Summa were a bit odd. They seemed out of place for the book's goal.
Additionally, the book's main focus, and rightfully so, was on the importance of virtues and how they bring about true happiness. The book's title could have been "Virtues: the Key to Happiness" or something to that effect and communicated more about the book. However, "How to Be Happy" is pretty catchy and enticing.
Overall, it's a good read. Not very deep, very easy to read, and just about anyone could agree with its contents. The main thesis of the book: if you want to be happy, be good.
The book was good, but not very in depth. I would recommend it to someone for light reading who isn't looking for anything too serious. The book was written in a lighthearted, often amusing way.
I think the first part which gave an argument for the existence of God and the last part which gave a guide on reading the Summa were a bit odd. They seemed out of place for the book's goal.
Additionally, the book's main focus, and rightfully so, was on the importance of virtues and how they bring about true happiness. The book's title could have been "Virtues: the Key to Happiness" or something to that effect and communicated more about the book. However, "How to Be Happy" is pretty catchy and enticing.
Overall, it's a good read. Not very deep, very easy to read, and just about anyone could agree with its contents. The main thesis of the book: if you want to be happy, be good.
July 30, 2024
Fradd's content is unmistakably deep, yet the presentation and flow of ideas have hiccups. About half the book deals with the topics of happiness, while the rest digresses further into the life of virtues, a biography of Aquinas, Pint's with Aquinas conversations, and other vaguely related ideas from the Angelic Doctor.
It feels like this was a book that Fradd wanted to write about Aquinas and virtues, with a slight connection to happiness sparsed between. I understand the connection, but happiness felt like an undertone rather than a main theme.
The content is excellent, and Fradd is an intelligent writer. However, I was level wanting more depth and commentary from him. He presents Aquinas in an extraordinarily accessible fashion, though I wish there was less catering to the unfamiliar crowd and more depth for those who have already befriended the saints.
It feels like this was a book that Fradd wanted to write about Aquinas and virtues, with a slight connection to happiness sparsed between. I understand the connection, but happiness felt like an undertone rather than a main theme.
The content is excellent, and Fradd is an intelligent writer. However, I was level wanting more depth and commentary from him. He presents Aquinas in an extraordinarily accessible fashion, though I wish there was less catering to the unfamiliar crowd and more depth for those who have already befriended the saints.
February 3, 2022
I purchased this on Audible and listened to it over a few days.
I love it when the author narrates their own book, because it seems like the text comes to life even more. It felt like listening to a friend talk about something he was very passionate about.
I'm absolutely certain I'll listen to this again. I appreciated the author introducing elements addressed in St. Thomas Aquinas's Summa, and the subject matter of the book itself was practical and timely.
If you've ever just been curious about St. Thomas Aquinas in general, check out this book. But also, if you've got COVID fatigue (I mean, who doesn't) this book holds great wisdom to help you
I love it when the author narrates their own book, because it seems like the text comes to life even more. It felt like listening to a friend talk about something he was very passionate about.
I'm absolutely certain I'll listen to this again. I appreciated the author introducing elements addressed in St. Thomas Aquinas's Summa, and the subject matter of the book itself was practical and timely.
If you've ever just been curious about St. Thomas Aquinas in general, check out this book. But also, if you've got COVID fatigue (I mean, who doesn't) this book holds great wisdom to help you
September 12, 2021
I’d give a 3.5 stars. But this is my personal bias only as this can be a wonderful read for so many.
Let’s face it, Aquinas can be very hard to read and understand at times. Debatably, maybe one of the hardest theologians to read. The author really put this in basic and simplified writing so a teenager or high schooler could easily understand, it’s that simplified. Which is good for some, but I like really abstract, deep and intense books. So my reading style is different. But for the modern reader, it is a straight forward read.
Let’s face it, Aquinas can be very hard to read and understand at times. Debatably, maybe one of the hardest theologians to read. The author really put this in basic and simplified writing so a teenager or high schooler could easily understand, it’s that simplified. Which is good for some, but I like really abstract, deep and intense books. So my reading style is different. But for the modern reader, it is a straight forward read.
July 15, 2025
Stick to recording podcasts. This book was written quite poorly in my opinion and felt like it was written for the primary purpose of promoting the writer’s podcast and other online content.
It felt rushed and didn’t go into enough detail regarding the topics it brought up. It felt generic and like your average self-help Christian content. Not very impressed. There were nuggets of gold I guess but I can’t credit that to this writer considering all these pockets of wisdom mentioned are him quoting other scholars and writers.
It felt rushed and didn’t go into enough detail regarding the topics it brought up. It felt generic and like your average self-help Christian content. Not very impressed. There were nuggets of gold I guess but I can’t credit that to this writer considering all these pockets of wisdom mentioned are him quoting other scholars and writers.
July 26, 2024
Odstira pogled na grehe, za katere sami večkrat nimamo imena, in ponuja konkretne nasvete kako jih lahko premagamo preprosto, s svojo voljo in Božjo milostjo. Knjiga me je naučila ponižnosti in mi večkrat vlila voljo za delanje dobrega.
Matt Fradd mi vedno bolj prirašča k srcu in neverjetno je, kako je v knjigi uspel ohraniti čar svojega avstralskega razlaganja, kakršnega ima v svojih podcastih.
Ni težko branje, prinese pa veliko :)
Priporočam!
Matt Fradd mi vedno bolj prirašča k srcu in neverjetno je, kako je v knjigi uspel ohraniti čar svojega avstralskega razlaganja, kakršnega ima v svojih podcastih.
Ni težko branje, prinese pa veliko :)
Priporočam!
June 12, 2023
For starters, I love Matt Fradd. He is the kind of person that makes me proud to be Catholic. So nice to have the forward from Scott Hahn too (another good Catholic example). I audiobooked rhis one so it almost felt like an episode of Pints which was really cool. I have not read Thomas's Summa yet so it's nice to have a little toe dip before that behemoth washes over me (hopefully soon).
July 23, 2022
This is one of those books you should listen to once/year. The quotes and supporting evidence of Aquinas' viewpoints were refreshing and insightful. I was also grateful that this book was read by Matt himself. Good on ya, Matt.
March 14, 2023
I loved this book. I haven't attempted to read any Thomas Aquinas books as of yet, but I've heard that they can be quite complicated. This was simple, funny even. I really enjoyed it. I can't wait for Matt Fradd to write more books.
September 28, 2024
Bold title, but with a successful content to go with it if you properly apply it.
Just finished this, a great book. It guides well in properly orienting oneself, in a simple yet comprehensive manner which is well structured and easy to read.
Just finished this, a great book. It guides well in properly orienting oneself, in a simple yet comprehensive manner which is well structured and easy to read.
September 26, 2025
this book does a good job hooking the reader on st. thomas aquinas' works and philosophy. some interesting intellectual stuff.
but i felt like i missed an impactful punch, particularly as a piece of writing for self-help.
but i felt like i missed an impactful punch, particularly as a piece of writing for self-help.
September 30, 2021
Good review and reflection of a virtuous life
April 21, 2022
I was happy to read this book. :-)
February 15, 2023
Audiobook. 3 stars es bueno. Se desvía a otros temas como la existencia de Dios (que es un must pero nada que ver con el título) y otros temas que a él le latieron hablar.
October 8, 2023
Decent. Quick. Lot left to wonder.
November 8, 2023
Not about happiness at all
If you want to learn about happiness this isn't the book for you. If you want to learn about all your sins then this is the book for you. So disappointing
If you want to learn about happiness this isn't the book for you. If you want to learn about all your sins then this is the book for you. So disappointing
December 24, 2023
4.5 stars
March 27, 2024
I listened to the audiobook so I could listen to Fradd’s
Australian accent while I cleaned. 5 stars on the accent.
Australian accent while I cleaned. 5 stars on the accent.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews