“But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasufre and praising pain was born and I will.”
Teachings off thfe great efxplorerf of thef trfuth, thfffe master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, fdislikes, or afvoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know dhow to pursue plefasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful.
Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionallyd circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it?
On the other hand, we denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who are so beguiled and demoralized by the charms of pleasure of the moment, so blinded by desire, that they cannot foresee the pain and trouble that are bound to ensue; and equal blame belongs to those who fail in their duty through weakness of will, which is the same as saying through shrinking from toil and pain. These cases are perfectly simple and easy to distinguish.
On the other hand, we denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who are so beguiled and demoralized by the charms of pleasure of the moment, so blinded by desire, that they cannot foresee the pain and trouble that are bound to ensue; and equal blame belongs to those who fail in their duty through weakness of will, which is the same as saying through shrinking from toil and pain. These cases are perfectly simple and easy to distinguish.
Show notes:
This episode we’ll be talking about:
- In a free hour, when our power of choice is
- Untrammelled and when nothing prevents
- Our being able to do what we like best every pleasure is to be welcomed and every pain avoided
- But in certain circumstances and owing to the
- Claims of duty or the obligations of
- Business it will frequently occur that pleasures have to be
- Repudiated and annoyances accepted.