Single Idea 7899

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / f. Dangers of pleasure]

Full Idea

Since a shower of gold coins could not satisfy craving desires and the end of all pleasure is pain, how could a wise man find satisfaction even in the pleasures of the gods?

Gist of Idea

Even divine pleasure will not satisfy the wise, as it is insatiable, and leads to pain

Source

Anon (Dham) (The DhammaPada [c.250 BCE], §14.186)

Book Reference

'The DhammaPada', ed/tr. Mascaro,Juan [Penguin 1973], p.63


A Reaction

I'm never sure how so many ancient thinkers arrived at this implausible view. They seem to think that no one knows when to stop, and that every drink leads to hangover. What is actually wrong with moderate sensible pleasure?