Joy is a pleasant emotion of high intensity that we feel when we believe, with certainty, that a very important goal has been achieved for us. As Lucretius says, however, the emotion of joy is never a pure emotion, but is always troubled by a dark fear of losing it: when we hold the coveted object in our hand, we perceive its precariousness and transience. Joy is in fact very friable, impalpable, delicate: it spreads easily, but just as easily it can be frustrated. Joy and Hope: the differences Joy and hope differ above all with respect to the “time” parameter: joy is felt after the achievement of something, hope before or while waiting. Joy is much more marked, with respect to the “intensity” parameter compared to hope: in fact, no hope can make us feel an emotion of intensity similar to that of joy. Between joy and hope: enthusiasm Between joy and hope there is generally enthusiasm, because it involves a joy for what is being done in the present, with a view to future successes. Enthusiasm strengthens our motivation to act, gives us energy. Pride is an emotion different from joy: in fact, in solving a problem, everyone feels joy, but pride is felt only if the challenge overcome was particularly difficult and if it required a considerable amount of ingenuity and commitment from the person: the pride of itself for the result obtained produces pride. As for happiness, it can be associated with the emotion of joy, but there are very significant differences between the two concepts: happiness in fact has to do with the external environment, with reality, while joy is born inside. of oneself, is a subjective experience, which can develop even in non-optimal psychological and existential conditions. People would do better to be satisfied with joy, or the satisfaction offered by momentary pleasures coming from their internal states, rather than external events that produce greater joy, happiness, but which are not under our direct control.