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.
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.
- Temporibus autem quibusdam et aut officiis debitis aut rerum
- Necessitatibus saepe eveniet ut et voluptates repudiandae sint
- Et molestiae non recusandae. Itaque earum rerum hic tenetur a sapiente delectus
- Ut aut reiciendis voluptatibus maiores alias consequatur
- Aut perferendis doloribus asperiores repellat
These cases are perfectly simple and easy to distinguish. 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.
How to pursue pleasure rationally encounter
No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure 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 occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. The wise man therefore always holds in these matters to this principle of selection: he rejects pleasures to secure other greater pleasures, or else he endures pains to avoid worse pains.