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November 16, 2007
the full delight of existence
To have no regular work, no set sphere of activity-what a miserable thing it is! How often long travels undertaken for pleasure make a man downright unhappy; because the absence of anything that can be called occupation forces him, as it were, out of his right element. Effort, struggles with difficulties! That is as natural to a man as grubbing in the ground is to a mole. To have all his wants satisfied is something intolerable – the feeling of stagnation which comes from pleasures that last too long. To overcome difficulties is to experience the full delight of existence, no matter where the obstacles are encountered; whether in the affairs of life, in commerce or business; or in mental effort-the spirit of inquiry that tries to master its subject. There is always something pleasurable in the struggle and the victory.
Schopenhauer - Counsels and Maxims
Posted by amin at November 16, 2007 1:28 PM