# Quotes about pleasure - Quotes: 58 - Authors: 42 - Broader topic: [Quotes about happiness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/happiness.md) - Topic page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure - JSON version (same data): https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.json ## Quotes > Pleasure is always in the past or in the future, never in the present. [Giacomo Leopardi](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giacomo-leopardi.md) · [Zibaldone: The Notebooks of Leopardi](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giacomo-leopardi/zibaldone-the-notebooks-of-leopardi.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giacomo-leopardi/zibaldone-the-notebooks-of-leopardi/pleasure-is-always.md) Topics: [the present](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-present.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > Each is led by his liking. [Virgil](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil.md) · [The Eclogues](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil/the-eclogues.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil/the-eclogues/each-is-led.md) Topics: [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > Everyone is dragged on by their favorite pleasure. [Virgil](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil.md) · [The Eclogues](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil/the-eclogues.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil/the-eclogues/everyone-is-dragged.md) Topics: [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > For pleasure is a state of soul, and to each man that which he is said to be a lover of is pleasant.... Now for most men their pleasures are in conflict with one another because these are not by nature pleasant, but the lovers of what is noble find pleasant the things that are by nature pleasant; and virtuous actions are such... Happiness then is the best, noblest, and most pleasant thing in the world, and these attributes are not severed as in the inscription at Delos: Most noble is that which is justest, and best is health; but pleasantest is it to win what we love. [Aristotle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle.md) · [Nicomachean Ethics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle/nicomachean-ethics.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle/nicomachean-ethics/for-pleasure-is-a-state.md) Topics: [happiness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/happiness.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > The least trifling pleasure which is within my reach tempts me more than the joys of Paradise. [Jean Jacques Rousseau](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau.md) · [Confessions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/confessions.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/confessions/the-least-trifling.md) Topics: [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > Most men pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it. [Sören Kierkegaard](https://www.leafyquotes.com/soren-kierkegaard.md) · [Either/Or](https://www.leafyquotes.com/soren-kierkegaard/eitheror.md) · p. 28 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/soren-kierkegaard/eitheror/most-men-pursue.md) Topics: [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md), [haste](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/haste.md) > Still others reflected on how quickly the food could be snatched from a man's table, or the child from a woman's breast, or the wife from a man's bedcloset, that no strength of grasp could hold these goods in place. And others remarked to themselves how sweet these goods were, in spite of that, and saw that pleasure lost in every moment is pleasure lost forever. [Jane Smiley](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jane-smiley.md) · [The Greenlanders](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jane-smiley/the-greenlanders.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jane-smiley/the-greenlanders/still-others-reflected.md) Topics: [transience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/transience.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > Pleasure is a vain illusion; she draws you on to a thousand follies, errors, and I may say vices, and then leaves you to deplore your thoughtless credulity. [Susanna Rowson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susanna-rowson.md) · [Charlotte Temple](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susanna-rowson/charlotte-temple.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susanna-rowson/charlotte-temple/pleasure-is-a-vain.md) Topics: [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > The very thing that gives you pleasure today will give you pain tomorrow, or it will leave you, so its absence will give you pain. p. 24 [Eckhart Tolle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/eckhart-tolle.md) · [The Power of Now](https://www.leafyquotes.com/eckhart-tolle/the-power-of-now.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/eckhart-tolle/the-power-of-now/the-very-thing.md) Topics: [suffering](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/suffering.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > Pleasure is always derived from something outside you, whereas joy arises from within. p. 24 [Eckhart Tolle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/eckhart-tolle.md) · [The Power of Now](https://www.leafyquotes.com/eckhart-tolle/the-power-of-now.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/eckhart-tolle/the-power-of-now/pleasure-is-always.md) Topics: [joy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/joy.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > "Well, yes, surely I think everybody ought to enjoy life as much as it's humanly possible because that's why we exist. I believe." [Malcolm Bradbury](https://www.leafyquotes.com/malcolm-bradbury.md) · [Stepping Westward](https://www.leafyquotes.com/malcolm-bradbury/stepping-westward.md) · p. 210 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/malcolm-bradbury/stepping-westward/well-yes-surely.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > Good food was like sex, one of life’s blessings, but they both lost their edge when talked about too much. [Gregory Benford](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford.md) · [Beyond Infinity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford/beyond-infinity.md) · p. 102 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford/beyond-infinity/good-food-was.md) Topics: [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md), [food](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/food.md) > Every age is known by its pleasures, Fielding reads from the library readout. The twentieth introduced two: high speed and hallucinogenic drugs. Both proved dangerous in the long run, which made them even more interesting. [Gregory Benford](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford.md) · [In Alien Flesh](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford/in-alien-flesh.md) · p. 268 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford/in-alien-flesh/every-age-is-known.md) Topics: [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > If there was any justice in this world, I would have been a dead man at least two times over. By this, I mean simply that many times in my life the statistical probabilities of a fatal outcome have been overwhelming – thanks to my sins of excess and poor judgment and my inability to say no to anything that sounded as if it might have been fun. … [When I die], I will decidedly not be regretting missed opportunities for a good time. My regrets will be more along the lines of a sad list of people hurt, people let down, assets wasted and advantages squandered. [Anthony Bourdain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-bourdain.md) · [Kitchen Confidential](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-bourdain/kitchen-confidential.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-bourdain/kitchen-confidential/if-there-was.md) Topics: [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md), [remorse](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/remorse.md) > "You ain't gonna live forever, so enjoy it while you can." [John Fante](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-fante.md) · [Brotherhood Of The Grape](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-fante/brotherhood-of-the-grape.md) · p. 172 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-fante/brotherhood-of-the-grape/you-aint-gonna.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [the present](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-present.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > The true object of moral and political disquisition is pleasure or happiness. > > The primary, or earliest, class of human pleasure is the pleasures of external senses. > > In addition to these, man is susceptible of certain secondary pleasures, as the pleasures of intellectual feeling, the pleasures of sympathy, and the pleasures of self-approbation. > > The secondary pleasures are probably more exquisite than the primary; > > Or, at least, > > The most desirable state of man is that in which he has access to all these sources of pleasure, and is in possession of a happiness the most varied and uninterrupted. > > This state is a state of high civilization. [William Godwin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-godwin.md) · [Enquiry Concerning Political Justice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-godwin/enquiry-concerning-political-justice.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-godwin/enquiry-concerning-political-justice/the-true-object.md) Topics: [happiness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/happiness.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > Unlawful pleasure, trenching on another’s rights, is delusive and envenomed pleasure—its hollowness disappoints at the time, its poison cruelly tortures afterwards, its effects deprave forever. [Charlotte Brontë](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charlotte-bronte.md) · [The Professor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charlotte-bronte/the-professor.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charlotte-bronte/the-professor/unlawful-pleasure-trenching.md) Topics: [sin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/sin.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > Gold, silver, jewels: dust, heaps of manure. Gratification, sensual pleasures, satisfaction of the appetites: like a beast, like a mule, like a cock, like a pig, like a bull. Honours, distinctions, titles: things of air, puffs of pride, lies, nothingness. [Josemaría Escrivá](https://www.leafyquotes.com/josemaria-escriva.md) · [The Way](https://www.leafyquotes.com/josemaria-escriva/the-way.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/josemaria-escriva/the-way/gold-silver-jewels.md) Topics: [pride](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pride.md), [wealth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/wealth.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > But here are wine and beautiful young girls, > > Be wise and hide your Sorrows in their curls, > > Dive as you will in life's mysterious sea, > > You shall not bring us any better pearls. [Omar Khayyam](https://www.leafyquotes.com/omar-khayyam.md) · [Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam](https://www.leafyquotes.com/omar-khayyam/rubaiyat-of-omar-khayyam.md) · p. 45 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/omar-khayyam/rubaiyat-of-omar-khayyam/but-here-are.md) Topics: [sadness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/sadness.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > What! out of senseless Nothing to provoke > > A conscious Something to resent the yoke > > Of unpermitted Pleasure, under pain > > Of Everlasting Penalties, if broke! [Omar Khayyam](https://www.leafyquotes.com/omar-khayyam.md) · [Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam](https://www.leafyquotes.com/omar-khayyam/rubaiyat-of-omar-khayyam.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/omar-khayyam/rubaiyat-of-omar-khayyam/what-out-of-senseless.md) Topics: [god](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/god.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md), [punishment](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/punishment.md) > Because he takes pleasure in her, because his pleasure is unfailing, an affection has grown up in him for her. To some degree, he believes, this affection is reciprocated. Affection may not be love, but it is at least its cousin. [J. M. Coetzee](https://www.leafyquotes.com/j-m-coetzee.md) · [Disgrace](https://www.leafyquotes.com/j-m-coetzee/disgrace.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/j-m-coetzee/disgrace/because-he-takes.md) Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > without love, pleasure withers quickly, becomes a foul taste on the palate, and pleasure’s inventions are soon exhausted. There must be a soul within the body you are holding, a soul which you are striving to meet, a soul which is striving to meet yours. [James Baldwin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-baldwin.md) · [Just Above My Head](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-baldwin/just-above-my-head.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-baldwin/just-above-my-head/without-love-pleasure.md) Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > Pleasure wouldn’t exist without the sharp bite of pain. Even the brief flash of orgasm is too intense to be absolutely pleasurable [Alice Borchardt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alice-borchardt.md) · [The Silver Wolf](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alice-borchardt/the-silver-wolf.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alice-borchardt/the-silver-wolf/pleasure-wouldnt-exist.md) Topics: [suffering](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/suffering.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > So the two forces were at work here as everywhere, the inherent will to enjoy, and the circumstantial will against enjoyment. [Thomas Hardy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-hardy.md) · [Tess of the D'Urbervilles](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-hardy/tess-of-the-durbervilles.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-hardy/tess-of-the-durbervilles/so-the-two.md) Topics: [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > I am come, young ladies, in a very moralizing strain, to observe that our pleasures in this world are always to be paid for, and that we often purchase them at a great disadvantage, giving ready-monied actual happiness for a draft on the future, that may not be honoured., p. 428, 2013, en:s:Northanger Abbey/Chapter 24 [Jane Austen](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jane-austen.md) · [Northanger Abbey](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jane-austen/northanger-abbey.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jane-austen/northanger-abbey/i-am-come.md) Topics: [happiness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/happiness.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > Sometimes it is harder to deprive oneself of a pain than of a pleasure. [F.Scott Fitzgerald](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fscott-fitzgerald.md) · [Tender is the Night](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fscott-fitzgerald/tender-is-the-night.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fscott-fitzgerald/tender-is-the-night/sometimes-it-is-harder.md) Topics: [suffering](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/suffering.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > He that loves pleasure, must for pleasure fall. [Christopher Marlowe](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-marlowe.md) · [Doctor Faustus](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-marlowe/doctor-faustus.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-marlowe/doctor-faustus/he-that-loves.md) Topics: [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > The range of socially permissible and desirable satisfaction is greatly enlarged, but through this satisfaction, the Pleasure Principle is reduced—deprived of the claims which are irreconcilable with the established society. Pleasure, thus adjusted, generates submission. [Herbert Marcuse](https://www.leafyquotes.com/herbert-marcuse.md) · [One-Dimensional Man](https://www.leafyquotes.com/herbert-marcuse/one-dimensional-man.md) · p. 75 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/herbert-marcuse/one-dimensional-man/the-range-of-socially.md) Topics: [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md) > When you want to enjoy something, you must never let logic get too much in the way. [Jerry Seinfeld](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jerry-seinfeld.md) · [Seinlanguage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jerry-seinfeld/seinlanguage.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jerry-seinfeld/seinlanguage/when-you-want.md) Topics: [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md), [logic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/logic.md) > The discovery of the good taste of bad taste can be very liberating. The man who insists on high and serious pleasures is depriving himself of pleasure; he continually restricts what he can enjoy; in the constant exercise of his good taste he will eventually price himself out of the market, so to speak. Here Camp taste supervenes upon good taste as a daring and witty hedonism. It makes the man of good taste cheerful, where before he ran the risk of being chronically frustrated. It is good for the digestion. [Susan Sontag](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag.md) · [Against Interpretation and Other Essays](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag/against-interpretation-and-other-essays.md) · p. 291 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag/against-interpretation-and-other-essays/the-discovery-of-the.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > It is generally supposed that complete pleasure of this kind, permeating one's very flesh and bones, unfits the student for scientific pursuits in which cool judgment and observation are required. But the effect is just the opposite. Instead of producing a dissipated condition, the mind is fertilized and stimulated and developed like sun-fed plants. [John Muir](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-muir.md) · [The Mountains of California](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-muir/the-mountains-of-california.md) · p. 350 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-muir/the-mountains-of-california/it-is-generally.md) Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > In every kind of debauch there enters much coldness of soul. It is a conscious and voluntary abuse of pleasure. [Joseph Joubert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-joubert.md) · [The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-joubert/the-notebooks-of-joseph-joubert.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-joubert/the-notebooks-of-joseph-joubert/in-every-kind.md) Topics: [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > What will you think of pleasures when you no longer enjoy them? [Joseph Joubert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-joubert.md) · [The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-joubert/the-notebooks-of-joseph-joubert.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-joubert/the-notebooks-of-joseph-joubert/what-will-you.md) Topics: [old age](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/old-age.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > The time I once lost in pleasure I now lose in suffering. [Joseph Joubert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-joubert.md) · [The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-joubert/the-notebooks-of-joseph-joubert.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-joubert/the-notebooks-of-joseph-joubert/the-time-i-once.md) Topics: [suffering](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/suffering.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > Pleasures are always children, pains always have wrinkles. [Joseph Joubert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-joubert.md) · [The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-joubert/the-notebooks-of-joseph-joubert.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-joubert/the-notebooks-of-joseph-joubert/pleasures-are-always.md) Topics: [suffering](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/suffering.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > The pleasantness of an employment does not always evince its propriety. [Jane Austen](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jane-austen.md) · [Sense and Sensibility](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jane-austen/sense-and-sensibility.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jane-austen/sense-and-sensibility/the-pleasantness-of-an-employment.md) Topics: [morality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/morality.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > An idea of great merit! While we are alive we should sit among colored lights and taste good wines, and discuss our adventures in far places; when we are dead, the opportunity is past. [Jack Vance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance.md) · [Maske: Thaery](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance/maske-thaery.md) · p. 209 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance/maske-thaery/an-idea-of-great.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > Tea, the Englishman's opium. [George Orwell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell.md) · [The Road to Wigan Pier](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/the-road-to-wigan-pier.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/the-road-to-wigan-pier/tea-the-englishmans.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > I never can understand how anyone can not smoke — it deprives a man of the best part of life … with a good cigar in his mouth a man is perfectly safe, nothing can touch him — literally. [Thomas Mann](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-mann.md) · [The Magic Mountain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-mann/the-magic-mountain.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-mann/the-magic-mountain/i-never-can.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > "Like so many experiences you venture into knowing full well that they'll be terrible, in fact the core pleasure resides in their very innate badness,..." [Chuck Palahniuk](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chuck-palahniuk.md) · [Damned](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chuck-palahniuk/damned.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chuck-palahniuk/damned/like-so-many.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > Physical pleasure is a sensual experience no different from pure seeing or the pure sensation with which a fine fruit fills the tongue; it is a great unending experience, which is given us, a knowing of the world, the fullness and the glory of all knowing. And not our acceptance of it is bad; the bad thing is that most people misuse and squander this experience and apply it as a stimulant at the tired spots of their lives and as distraction instead of a rallying toward exalted moments. [Rainer Maria Rilke](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rainer-maria-rilke.md) · [Letters to a Young Poet](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rainer-maria-rilke/letters-to-a-young-poet.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rainer-maria-rilke/letters-to-a-young-poet/physical-pleasure-is-a-sensual.md) Topics: [sex](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/sex.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > Ever since his mother's second marriage Spandrell had always perversely made the worst of things, chosen the worst course, deliberately encouraged his own worst tendencies. It was with debauchery that he distracted his endless leisures. He was taking his revenge on her... He was spiting her, spiting himself, spiting God. He hoped there was a hell for him to go to and regretted his inability to believe in its existence. ...it was even exciting in those early days to know that one was doing something bad and wrong. But there is in debauchery something so intrinsically dull, something so absolutely and hopelessly dismal, that it is only the rarest beings, gifted with much less than the usual amount of intelligence and much more than the usual intensity of appetite, who can go on actively enjoying a regular course of vice or continue actively to believe in its wickedness. Most habitual debauchees are debauchees not because they enjoy debauchery, but because they are uncomfortable when deprived of it. Habit converts luxurious enjoyments into dull and daily necessities. [Aldous Huxley](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aldous-huxley.md) · [Point Counter Point](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aldous-huxley/point-counter-point.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aldous-huxley/point-counter-point/ever-since-his.md) Topics: [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > "Never put off till to-morrow the fun you can have to-day." [Aldous Huxley](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aldous-huxley.md) · [Brave New World](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aldous-huxley/brave-new-world.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aldous-huxley/brave-new-world/never-put-off.md) Topics: [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > Every time I felt bored I rolled another cigarette out of my can of Prince Albert; there's nothing better in the world than a roll-your-own deeply enjoyed without hurry. [Jack Kerouac](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-kerouac.md) · [The Dharma Bums](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-kerouac/the-dharma-bums.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-kerouac/the-dharma-bums/every-time-i-felt.md) Topics: [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md), [addiction](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/addiction.md) > "Now you understand the Oriental passion for tea," said Japhy. "Remember that book I told you about; the first sip is joy, the second is gladness, the third is serenity, the fourth is madness, the fifth is ecstasy." [Jack Kerouac](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-kerouac.md) · [The Dharma Bums](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-kerouac/the-dharma-bums.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-kerouac/the-dharma-bums/now-you-understand.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > No, I never wish that. I don't intend to die till I've enjoyed my life. Everyone has a right to happiness and sooner or later I will have it. Youth, health and freedom were meant to be enjoyed and I want to try every pleasure before I am too old to enjoy them. [Louisa May Alcott](https://www.leafyquotes.com/louisa-may-alcott.md) · [A Long Fatal Love Chase](https://www.leafyquotes.com/louisa-may-alcott/a-long-fatal-love-chase.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/louisa-may-alcott/a-long-fatal-love-chase/no-i-never.md) Topics: [happiness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/happiness.md), [youth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/youth.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > A whole lifetime was too short to bring out, the full flavour; to extract every ounce of pleasure, every shade of meaning. [Virginia Woolf](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virginia-woolf.md) · [Mrs. Dalloway](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virginia-woolf/mrs-dalloway.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virginia-woolf/mrs-dalloway/a-whole-lifetime.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > For ourselves, who are ordinary men and women, let us return thanks to Nature for her bounty by using every one of the senses she has given us; vary our state as much as possible; turn now this side, now that, to the warmth, and relish to the full before the sun goes down the kisses of youth and the echoes of a beautiful voice singing Catullus. Every season is likeable, and wet days and fine, red wine and white, company and solitude. Even sleep, that deplorable curtailment of the joy of life, can be full of dreams; and the most common actions—a walk, a talk, solitude in one's own orchard—can be enhanced and lit up by the association of the mind. Beauty is everywhere, and beauty is only two finger's-breadth from goodness. [Virginia Woolf](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virginia-woolf.md) · [The Common Reader: Volume 1](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virginia-woolf/the-common-reader-volume-1.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virginia-woolf/the-common-reader-volume-1/for-ourselves-who.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [beauty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/beauty.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > The more we struggle for life (as pleasure), the more we are actually killing what we love. [Alan W. Watts](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alan-w-watts.md) · [The Wisdom of Insecurity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alan-w-watts/the-wisdom-of-insecurity.md) · p. 32 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alan-w-watts/the-wisdom-of-insecurity/the-more-we-struggle.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > [T]here was no end to the ways in which nice things are nicer than nasty ones. [Kingsley Amis](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kingsley-amis.md) · [Lucky Jim](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kingsley-amis/lucky-jim.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kingsley-amis/lucky-jim/t-here-was-no-end.md) Topics: [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > People who love downy peaches are apt not to think of the stone, and sometimes jar their teeth terribly against it. [George Eliot](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot.md) · [Adam Bede](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot/adam-bede.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot/adam-bede/people-who-love.md) Topics: [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > Why then should we shut ourselves up within walls and gates as if we never meant to leave them? If pestilence, war, or rebellion drive me from one place, I go to another, and I find my hotel there before me. Why should I build a mansion for myself when the world is already at my disposal? Why should I be in such a hurry to live, to bring from afar delights which I can find on the spot? It is impossible to make a pleasant life for oneself when one is always at war with oneself. Thus Empedocles reproached the men of Agrigentum with heaping up pleasures as if they had but one day to live, and building as if they would live for ever. [Jean Jacques Rousseau](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau.md) · [Emile; or On Education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education/why-then-should.md) Topics: [travel](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/travel.md), [home](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/home.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > Again, monopoly destroys pleasure. Real pleasures are those which we share with the crowd; we lose what we try to keep to ourselves alone. If the walls I build round my park transform it into a gloomy prison, I have only deprived myself, at great expense, of the pleasure of a walk; I must now seek that pleasure at a distance. The demon of property spoils everything he lays hands upon. A rich man wants to be master everywhere, and he is never happy where he is; he is continually driven to flee from himself. I shall therefore continue to do in my prosperity what I did in my poverty. Henceforward, richer in the wealth of others than I ever shall be in my own wealth, I will take possession of everything in my neighbourhood that takes my fancy; no conqueror is so determined as I; I even usurp the rights of princes; I take possession of every open place that pleases me, I give them names; this is my park, chat is my terrace, and I am their owner; henceforward I wander among them at will; I often return to maintain my proprietary rights; I make what use I choose of the ground to walk upon, and you will never convince me that the nominal owner of the property which I have appropriated gets better value out of the money it yields him than I do out of his land. No matter if I am interrupted by hedges and ditches, I take my park on my back, and I carry it elsewhere; there will be space enough for it near at hand, and I may plunder my neighbours long enough before I outstay my welcome. This is an attempt to show what is meant by good taste in the choice of pleasant occupations for our leisure hours; this is the spirit of enjoyment; all else is illusion, fancy, and foolish pride. He who disobeys these rules, however rich he may be, will devour his gold on a dung-hill, and will never know what it is to live. You will say, no doubt, that such amusements lie within the reach of all, that we need not be rich to enjoy them. That is the very point I was coming to. Pleasure is ours when we want it; it is only social prejudice which makes everything hard to obtain, and drives pleasure before us. To be happy is a hundredfold easier than it seems. If he really desires to enjoy himself the man of taste has no need of riches; all he wants is to be free and to be his own master. With health and daily bread we are rich enough, if we will but get rid of our prejudices; this is the "Golden Mean" of Horace. [Jean Jacques Rousseau](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau.md) · [Emile; or On Education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education/again-monopoly-destroys.md) Topics: [happiness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/happiness.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md), [private property](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/private-property.md) > If I were young, I would seek the pleasures of youth; and as I would have them at their best I would not seek them in the guise of a rich man. If I were at my present age, it would be another matter; I would wisely confine myself to the pleasures of my age; I would form tastes which I could enjoy, and I would stifle those which could only cause suffering. I would not go and offer my grey beard to the scornful jests of young girls; I could never bear to sicken them with my disgusting caresses, to furnish them at my expense with the most absurd stories, to imagine them describing the vile pleasures of the old ape, so as to avenge themselves for what they had endured. But if habits unresisted had changed my former desires into needs, I would perhaps satisfy those needs, but with shame and blushes. I would distinguish between passion and necessity, I would find a suitable mistress and would keep to her. I would not make a business of my weakness, and above all I would only have one person aware of it. Life has other pleasures when these fail us; by hastening in vain after those that fly us, we deprive ourselves of those that remain. [Jean Jacques Rousseau](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau.md) · [Emile; or On Education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education/if-i-were.md) Topics: [old age](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/old-age.md), [youth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/youth.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > Old age has its pleasures, which, though different, are not less than the pleasures of youth. [William Somerset Maugham](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham.md) · [The Summing Up](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/the-summing-up.md) · p. 290 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/the-summing-up/old-age-has.md) Topics: [old age](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/old-age.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > Men seek but one thing in life — their pleasure. [William Somerset Maugham](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham.md) · [Of Human Bondage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/of-human-bondage.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/of-human-bondage/men-seek-but.md) Topics: [human nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/human-nature.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > Follow your inclinations with due regard to the policeman round the corner. [William Somerset Maugham](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham.md) · [Of Human Bondage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/of-human-bondage.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/of-human-bondage/follow-your-inclinations.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md), [caution](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/caution.md) > But the capacity to enjoy is impossible without the capacity to suffer; and the faculty of enjoyment is one with that of pain. Whosoever does not suffer does not enjoy, just as whosoever is insensible to cold is insensible to heat. [Miguel de Unamuno](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno.md) · [Tragic Sense of Life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno/tragic-sense-of-life.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno/tragic-sense-of-life/but-the-capacity.md) Topics: [suffering](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/suffering.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md)