(EDIT: oops Emmanuel, you beat me...eh I wrote it out already...carry on.)
I think he meant that living happily is different from living comfortably. No doubt the betta will be fine in a good sized bowl if it's properly taken care of. It probably won't feel too much stress and in a sense would lead a comfortable life (sorta). Would it be happy? Without going into the definition of happinesss, I'd have to say no.
Although, I'd have to agree with you about the people who hate their jobs. In terms of bettas and bowls and whatnot, I think it's an issue between surviving and flourishing. The fish will survive.
Our bettas were doing just fine in their bowls, which were pretty large, but after putting them in bigger, filtered and heated tanks, they did change and become more active, lively, and inquisitive. Just something to think about xyzmeli, you might have even more fun with Fishy if he had a larger, decorated environment. That also means less water changes and more time for funner things