Yeah, know thyself, first and foremost... but what I mean mostly is that there are many ways of reaching "happiness" and a lot of them are self-destructive in the long term (i.e. alcohol, most pharmaceutical drugs, sugar, relationships that are based on self-interest, etc.)

If one is real with themselves and the world, then real happiness can also arise :)

But in the modern era, "happiness" is often just a cover for avoiding suffering & sacrifice, which leads to self-deception, self-indulgence & narcissism, which is why I think honesty and introspection should be the goals first and foremost. Happiness will come as a byproduct of that journey.