The public pleasures of far the greater part of mankind are counterfeit. Very few carry their philosophy to places of diversion, or are very careful to analyze their enjoyments. The general condition of life is so full of misery, that we are glad to catch delight without inquiring whence it comes, or by what power it is bestowed.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Pleasure is none, if not diversified.
—John Donne (1572–1631) English Poet, Cleric
What if a body might have all the pleasures in the world for asking? Who would so unman himself as, by accepting them, to desert his soul, and become a perpetual slave to his senses?
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding.
—Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) Italian Polymath, Painter, Sculptor, Inventor, Architect
Sinful and forbidden pleasures are like poisoned bread; they may satisfy appetite for the moment, but there is death in them at the end.
—Tryon Edwards (1809–94) American Theologian, Author
The existence of pleasure is the first mystery. The existence of pain has prompted far more philosophical speculation. Pleasure and pain need to be considered together; they are inseparable. Yet the space filled by each is perhaps different. Pleasure, defined as a sense of gratification, is essential for nature
—John Berger (1926–2017) English Art Critic, Novelist
A man of pleasure is a man of pains.
—Edward Young (1683–1765) English Poet
We enjoy the process far more than the proceeds.
—Warren Buffett (b.1930) American Investor
The liberty of using harmless pleasure will not be disputed; but it is still to be examined what pleasures are harmless.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Most men pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it.
—Soren Kierkegaard (1813–55) Danish Philosopher, Theologian
Pleasure only starts once the worm has got into the fruit; to become delightful, happiness must be tainted with poison.
—Georges Bataille (1897–1962) French Essayist, Intellectual
Let not the enjoyment of pleasures now within your grasp, be carried to such excess as to incapacitate you from future repetition.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Novelty is the great parent of pleasure.
—Robert South (1634–1716) English Theologian, Preacher
Pleasure and pain, beauty and deformity, good and ill, seemed to me everywhere interwoven; and one with another made a pretty mixture, agreeable enough in the main. ‘Twas the same, I fancied, as in some of those rich stuffs where the flowers and ground were oddly put together, with such irregular work and contrary colors, as looked ill in the pattern, but natural and well in the piece.
—Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury (1621–83) British Statesman
Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite are contrived to be constant companions.
—Pierre Charron (1541–1603) French Preacher, Philosopher
The purest pleasures lie within the circle of useful occupation.—Mere pleasure, sought outside of usefulness, is fraught with poison.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
The worst of enemies are flatterers, and the worst of flatterers are pleasures.
—Jacques-Benigne Bossuet (1627–1704) French Churchman, Pulpit Orator
Pleasure therefore, (or Delight,) is the appearance or sense of Good; and Molestation or Displeasure, the appearance or sense of Evil.
—Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) English Political Philosopher
The essence of pleasure is spontaneity.
—Germaine Greer (b.1939) Australia Academic, Journalist, Scholar, Writer
We have not an hour of life in which our pleasures relish not some pain, our sours, some sweetness.
—Philip Massinger (1583–1640) English Playwright
All pleasure in the world is a passing dream.
—Petrarch (1304–74) Italian Scholar, Poet, Humanist
Men may scoff, and men may pray, but they pay every pleasure with a pain.
—William Ernest Henley (1849–1903) English Poet, Critic, Editor
Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
If pleasure was not followed by pain, who would forbear it?
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
So enjoy present pleasures as to not mar those to come.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Whenever I meet with anything agreeable in this world it surprises me so much—and pleases me so much (when my passions are not interested in one way or the other) that I go on wondering for a week to come.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
Indulge yourself in pleasures only in so far as they are necessary for the preservation of health.
—Baruch Spinoza (1632–77) Dutch Philosopher, Theologian
Mental pleasures never clog;—unlike those of the body, they are increased by repetition, approved of by reflection, and strengthened by enjoyment.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Happiness is not pleasure, it’s victory.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
Pleasure is the object, duty and the goal of all rational creatures.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
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