Single Idea 21466

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / c. Value of pleasure]

Full Idea

As a rule we find pleasure much less pleasurable, pain much more painful than we expected.

Gist of Idea

Pleasure is weaker, and pain stronger, than we expect

Source

Arthur Schopenhauer (Parerga and Paralipomena [1851], XII:149)

Book Reference

Schopenhauer,Arthur: 'Essays and Aphorisms [from Pand P]', ed/tr. Hollingdale,R.J. [Penguin 1970], p.42


A Reaction

Never go on holiday with Schopenhauer. This is more accurate about pain, I think.