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Single Idea 13323

[from 'Letters from a Stoic' by Seneca the Younger, in 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / f. Dangers of pleasure ]

Full Idea

The whole object of luxurious living is the delight it takes in irregular ways and in not merely departing from the correct course but going to the farthest point away from it, and in eventually even taking a stand diametrically opposed to it.

Gist of Idea

The whole point of pleasure-seeking is novelty, and abandoning established ways

Source

Seneca the Younger (Letters from a Stoic [c.60], 122)

Book Reference

Seneca: 'Letters from a Stoic (Selections)', ed/tr. Campbell,Robin [Penguin 1969], p.222


A Reaction

A rather conservative and puritanical remark, but worthy of contemplation even for committed hedonists. It is just a sad facts that most pleasures diminish with familiarity. Small children make delightful remarks. Imagine if they repeated them.