Throw moderation to the winds, and the greatest pleasures bring the greatest pains
—Democritus (c.460–c.370 BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
There is no such thing as pure pleasure; some anxiety always goes with it.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
For most men, and most circumstances, pleasure-tangible material prosperity in this world-is the safest test of virtue. Progress has ever been through the pleasures rather than through the extreme sharp virtues, and the most virtuous have leaned to excess rather than to ascetism.
—Samuel Butler
Pleasure is the object, duty and the goal of all rational creatures.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
Pleasure is in itself a good; nay, even setting aside immunity from pain, the only good.
—Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832) British Philosopher, Economist
Centers, or wooden frames are put under the arches of a bridge, to remain no longer than till the latter are consolidated, and then are thrown away or cast into the fire. Even so, sinful pleasures are the devil’s scaffolding to build a habit upon; and once formed and fixed, the pleasures are sent for firewood, and hell begins in this life.
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) English Poet, Literary Critic, Philosopher
There is little pleasure in the world that is true and sincere beside the pleasure of doing our duty and doing good. I am sure no other is comparable to this.
—John Tillotson
Honor is a public enemy, and conscience a domestic, and he that would secure his pleasure, must pay a tribute to one and go halves with t’other.
—William Congreve (1670–1729) English Playwright, Poet
Pleasure is the only thing to live for. Nothing ages like happiness.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Pleasure is the first good. It is the beginning of every choice and every aversion. It is the absence of pain in the body and of troubles in the soul.
—Epicurus (c.341–270 BCE) Greek Philosopher
We must always skim over pleasures. They are like marshy lands that we must travel nimbly, hardly daring to put down our feet.
—Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle (1657–1757) French Essayist, Polymath, Philosopher
The most delightful pleasures cloy without variety.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
Pleasure is the most real good in this life.
—Frederick II of Prussia (1712–86) Prussian Monarch
The only way to amuse some people is to slip and fall on an icy pavement.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
Work is often the father of pleasure.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
All pleasure in the world is a passing dream.
—Petrarch (1304–74) Italian Scholar, Poet, Humanist
It is within the experience of everyone that when pleasure and pain reach a certain intensity they are indistinguishable.
—Arnold Bennett (1867–1931) British Novelist, Playwright, Critic
Without pleasure man would live like a fool and soon die.
—Pierre Beaumarchais (1732–99) French Inventor, Diplomat, Musician, Fugitive, Revolutionary
All fits of pleasure are balanced by an equal degree of pain or languor; ’tis like spending this year, part of the next year’s revenue.
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Irish Satirist
Indulge yourself in pleasures only in so far as they are necessary for the preservation of health.
—Baruch Spinoza (1632–77) Dutch Philosopher, Theologian
No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting.
—Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (1689–1762) English Aristocrat, Poet, Novelist, Writer
Pleasure is a necessary reciprocal: no one feels, who does not at the same time give it. To be pleased, one must please. What pleases you in others, will in general please them in you.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.
—Walter Bagehot (1826–77) English Economist, Journalist
Life would be tolerable but for its amusements.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
We tire of those pleasures we take, but never of those we give.
—Jean Antoine Petit-Senn (1792–1870) Swiss Poet
He buys honey too dear who licks it from thorns.
—Common Proverb
Most pleasures, like flowers, when gathered, die.
—Edward Young (1683–1765) English Poet
Enjoy present pleasures in such a way as not to injure future ones.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Do not bite at the bait of pleasure till you know there is no hook beneath it.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
A fool bolts pleasure, then complains of moral indigestion.
—Minna Antrim (1861–1950) American Writer, Epigrammist