Do not enjoy yourself. Enjoy dances and theaters and…
“Do not enjoy yourself. Enjoy dances and theaters and joy-rides and champagne and oysters; enjoy jazz and cocktails and night-clubs if you can enjoy nothing better; enjoy bigamy and burglary and any crime in the calendar, in preference to the other alternative; but never learn to enjoy yourself.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote suggests indulging in external pleasures and vices rather than learning self-contentment, implying self‑destruction is preferable to self‑acceptance.
In simple terms: Seek external thrills instead of self‑satisfaction.
Key Takeaway
Avoid learning to enjoy yourself.
Themes
hedonism
self‑destruction
avoidance
Mood
cynical
detached
Type
cautionary
provocative
When to use this quote
- nightlife
- social events
- risk‑taking
- criminal behavior
Key Concepts
nihilism
self‑sabotage
Questions to Reflect On
- What does true enjoyment mean to you?
- Can external pleasures replace inner peace?
A Different Perspective
Such a lifestyle can lead to emptiness and regret.