But in order that you may see whence all this error is born of those who accuse pleasure and praise pain, I will open the whole matter and explain what was said by that discoverer of truth and, as it were, the architect of a happy life. For no one despises or hates or runs away from pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because great pains follow those who do not know how to follow pleasure with reason; such times never occur, that he seeks some great pleasure through labor and pain. For to come to the smallest detail, which one of us undertakes any physical exercise that is laborious, except in order to derive some benefit from it?

But who can justly blame him who wants to be in that pleasure, which results in no discomfort, or him who avoids pain, which does not cause any pleasure? But indeed we both accuse and with just hatred bring those who deserve it, who are softened and corrupted by the flattery of present pleasures, who, blinded by greed, do not provide for what pains and what troubles they are about to experience, and they are similarly guilty of those who forsake duties for the sake of softness of mind, that is, flight from toils and pains. And indeed the distinction between these things is easy and expedient.

For in free time, when the option of choosing is open to us, and nothing hinders, the less we can do that which pleases us the most, all pleasure must be assumed, all pain rejected. But at certain times, and either due to duties or the necessities of things, it will often happen that both pleasures are to be rejected and troubles are not to be refused. And so the choice of these things is held by a wise man, so that either by rejecting greater pleasures he may obtain others, or by enduring pains he may repulse more severe ones.

العربية (Arabic)