Quotes With Meaning
It is clear that men accept an immediate pain rather than an immediate pleasure, but only because they expect a greater pleasure in the future. Often the pleasure is illusory, but their error in calculation is no refutation of the rule. You are puzzled because you cannot get over the idea that pleasures are only of the sense; but, child, a man who dies for his country dies because he likes it as surely as a man eats pickled cabbage because he likes it.
It is clear that men accept an immediate pain rather than an immediate pleasure, but only because they expect a greater pleasure in the future. Often the pleasure is illusory, but their error in calculation is no refutation of the rule. You are puzzled because you cannot get over the idea that pleasures are only of the sense; but, child, a man who dies for his country dies because he likes it as surely as a man eats pickled cabbage because he likes it.
This quote discusses the tendency of people to choose short-term pain over immediate pleasure when they believe it leads to greater future rewards. Maugham suggests that while the anticipated pleasure might sometimes be misguided, it doesn’t invalidate the principle that humans often prioritize long-term goals. He contrasts physical pleasures with deeper motivations, exemplifying how individuals may sacrifice their comfort for ideals, like dying for one's country. This illustrates that our choices can stem from complex desires beyond mere sensory enjoyment. Ultimately, it highlights the importance of perspective in understanding human behavior and the values we hold dear.