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. 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. 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.
Our Skills
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
