Is the glass half full?

"I have reigned more than fifty years in victory and peace," the great caliph Abdul Rahim once remarked. "During this time I have been beloved by my people, dreaded by my enemies, and respected by my allies. Riches and honors, power and pleasure have all been at my beck and call, nor has any earthly pleasure been missing to complete my sense of perfect bliss. In this situation I have diligently numbered the days of pure and genuine happiness that have fallen to my lot. They number fourteen."