"Let There Be Light"
More religious forgery!
"Bill M" wrote in message
.. .
and, as soon as it comes, we are satiated. It is the
same in play, and the same in the search for truth. In disputes we like to
see the clash of opinions, but not at all to contemplate truth when found.
To observe it with pleasure, we have to see it emerge out of strife. So in
the passions, there is pleasure in seeing the collision of two contraries;
but when one acquires the mastery, it becomes only brutality. We never
seek
things for themselves, but for the search. Likewise in plays, scenes which
do not rouse the emotion of fear are worthless, so are extreme and
hopeless
misery, brutal lust, and extreme cruelty.
136. A mere trifle consoles us, for a mere trifle distresses us.
137. Without examining every particular pursuit, it is enough to
comprehend
them under diversion.
138. Men naturally slaters and of all callings, save in their own rooms.
139. Diversion.--When I have occasionally set myself to consider the
different distractions of men, the pains and perils to which they expose
themselves at court or in war, whence arise so many quarrels, passions,
bold
and often bad ventures, etc., I have discovered that all the unhappiness
of
men arises from one single fact, that they cannot stay quietly in their
own
chamber. A man who has enough to live on, if he knew how to stay with
pleasure at home, would not leave it to go to sea or to besiege a town. A
commission in the army would not be bought so dearly, but that it is found
insufferable not to budge from the town; and men only seek conversation
and
entering games, because they cannot remain with pleasure at home.
But, on further consideration, when, after finding the cause of all our
ills, I have sought to discover the reason of it, I have found that there
is
one very real reason, namely, the natural pove
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