“It is not possible to live happily if one does not lead a beautiful, righteous and wise life, or to lead a beautiful, righteous and wise life if one is not happy.”  Epicurus (341-270 B.C.)

To be happy, is it better to take care of others first or to put yourself first?

Ethically, what is the answer to that question?

From what I understand the role of ethics from a Buddhist perspective is to free all beings, including oneself from momentary and longterm suffering and to foster the ability to help others to do so.

In other words, if ethics is the science of happiness then here is some of the methodology.

• False beliefs produce unnecessary pain; among them, that the gods will punish us and that death is something to be feared.
• There are necessary and unnecessary desires. Necessary desires, like wanting to be free from bodily pain, help in producing happiness, whereas unnecessary desires, like desiring a bigger car or a more luxurious meal, typically produce unhappiness
• The aim is not the positive pursuit of pleasure but rather the absence of pain,  which is freedom from all worry
• Happiness is not a private affair: it can be more readily achieved in a society where like-minded individuals band together to help inspire one another’s pursuit of happiness