--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Why should you, for a mere passing…" description: "\"“Why should you, for a mere passing pleasure, risk the loss of those great powers with which you have been endowed?”\" — Arthur Conan Doyle" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab7/arthur-conan-doyle-273_pleasure_why-should-you-for-a-mere-passing-pleasu_137452.jpg" --- # Why should you, for a mere passing pleasure, risk the loss… ![“Why should you, for a mere passing pleasure, risk the loss of those great powers with which you have been endowed?” quote by Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab7/arthur-conan-doyle-273_pleasure_why-should-you-for-a-mere-passing-pleasu_137452.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab7/arthur-conan-doyle-273_pleasure_why-should-you-for-a-mere-passing-pleasu_137452.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab7/arthur-conan-doyle-273_pleasure_why-should-you-for-a-mere-passing-pleasu_137452.jpg) > ““Why should you, for a mere passing pleasure, risk the loss of those great powers with which you have been endowed?”” [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It warns against sacrificing innate abilities for fleeting pleasures, urging preservation of one gifts. **In simple terms:** Don’t trade lasting strengths for short‑term fun. Key Takeaway Guard your core talents. Themes self‑control values long‑term thinking Mood cautious reflective Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - personal decisions - career choices - relationships Key Concepts virtue self‑preservation wisdom Questions to Reflect On - What core ability would you risk for a momentary joy? - How can you balance enjoyment with preserving strengths? A Different Perspective Short‑term pleasure can erode long‑term potential. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) ## Related quotes > [Everything passes. There is great beauty in this, both in the passing of pain and in the passing of pleasure. 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It's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-dusenberry/the-work-the-work-the-work-this-is-what-the-business-is-all-about/) [Phil Dusenberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-dusenberry/) > [Man has an almost infinite capacity for taking things and people for granted and thereby missing out on the pleasure of being grateful that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/man-has-an-almost-infinite-capacity-for-taking-things-and-people-for/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [No verse can give pleasure for long, nor last, that is written by drinkers of water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/no-verse-can-give-pleasure-for-long-nor-last-that-is-written-by/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Exercise teaches you the pleasure of discipline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-fonda/exercise-teaches-you-the-pleasure-of-discipline/) [Jane Fonda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-fonda/) > [“Joy is like sex – it begins and ends. I want pleasure. I want to be contended, but happiness? I no longer fall into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/joy-is-like-sex-it-begins-and-ends-i-want-pleasure-i-want-to-be/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [Many years ago I was fishing, and as I was reeling in the poor fish, I realised, 'I am killing him - all for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-mccartney/many-years-ago-i-was-fishing-and-as-i-was-reeling-in-the-poor-fish-i/) [Paul McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-mccartney/) > [Cultivate the habit of thinking ahead, and of anticipating the necessary and immediate consequences of all your actions… Likewise in your pleasures, ask yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/cultivate-the-habit-of-thinking-ahead-and-of-anticipating-the/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [I'm not interested in making a diagnostic novel or a concern. 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