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3 ideas
7915 | Supreme cleverness is knowledge of the real value of things [Rochefoucauld] |
Full Idea: Supreme cleverness is knowledge of the real value of things. | |
From: La Rochefoucauld (Maxims [1663], 244) | |
A reaction: Good. Right at the heart of wisdom is some kind of grasp of right values. It is so complex and subtle that it seems like pure intuition, but I am sure that reason is involved. 'Intelligent' people tend to be better at it. Some justifications can be given. |
7917 | Realising our future misery is a kind of happiness [Rochefoucauld] |
Full Idea: To realise how much misery we have to face is in itself a kind of happiness. | |
From: La Rochefoucauld (Maxims [1663], 570) | |
A reaction: Probably true. Knowing that you have got hold of the truth is a sort of happiness in any area, no matter how grim the truth. However, a happy life could easily be poisoned by brooding on the future. Should the happily married brood on future solitude? |
1478 | Animals don't value pleasure, as they cease sexual intercourse after impregnation [Plutarch] |
Full Idea: Animals of both sexes cease to have intercourse after impregnation; that shows how little animals value pleasure, and that nature is all that counts. | |
From: Plutarch (64: Gryllus - on Rationality in Animals [c.85], 990d) | |
A reaction: A famous monkey had an implant to stimulate pleasure, and a button to trigger it. It apparently would have starved to death rather than release the button. Animal sex is dull? |