Health, happiness and helping others are vital parts of free and responsible society, Founding Fathers taught

Bestselling author A.J. Jacobs told Fox News Digital about the importance of "doing good" for others, as shared by America's Founding Fathers — and why it's a path to happiness and healthy living.

"The Founders’ idea of virtue meant public-mindedness. A virtuous person puts the interests of others before their own interests." "I almost wish the Constitution had a Bill of Responsibilities."  "If I’m depressed, I find the best thing to do is to help others. It gets me out of my head." A.J. Jacobs is a bestselling author, journalist and podcaster. He has written four New York Times bestsellers that combine memoir, science, humor and a dash of self-help.

That is less well known. In his autobiography, Ben Franklin wrote that the first thing he did when he woke up each day was to ask himself the following question: "What good shall I do this day?" (See the video at the top of this article.)