--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is no lasting pleasure but…" description: "\"There is no lasting pleasure but contemplation; all others grow flat and insipid upon frequent use; and when a man hath run through a set of vanities, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bd/gilbert-burnet-47659_afraid-of-death_there-is-no-lasting-pleasure-but-contemp_1135936.png" --- # There is no lasting pleasure but contemplation; all others… ![“There is no lasting pleasure but contemplation; all others grow flat and insipid upon frequent use; and when a man hath run through a set of vanities, in the declension of his age, he knows not what to do with himself, if he cannot think; he saunters about from one dull business to another, to…” quote by Gilbert Burnet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bd/gilbert-burnet-47659_afraid-of-death_there-is-no-lasting-pleasure-but-contemp_1135936.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bd/gilbert-burnet-47659_afraid-of-death_there-is-no-lasting-pleasure-but-contemp_1135936.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bd/gilbert-burnet-47659_afraid-of-death_there-is-no-lasting-pleasure-but-contemp_1135936.png) > “There is no lasting pleasure but contemplation; all others grow flat and insipid upon frequent use; and when a man hath run through a set of vanities, in the declension of his age, he knows not what to do with himself, if he cannot think; he saunters about from one dull business to another, to wear out time; and hath no reason to value Life but because he is afraid of death.” [Gilbert Burnet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-burnet/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage argues that contemplation is the only lasting pleasure; other activities become dull over time, leading to existential boredom unless one engages the mind. **In simple terms:** Contemplation yields lasting joy; other pleasures fade. Key Takeaway Cultivate deep thought for lasting fulfillment. Themes philos existential mindfulness boredom aging meaning Mood contemplative melancholic introspective Type philosophical existential When to use this quote - Retirement planning - midlife crisis counseling - creative writing workshops - philosophy classes Key Concepts Philosophical reflection existential ennui search for purpose Questions to Reflect On - What thoughts give your life meaning? - How can you balance contemplation with activity? A Different Perspective Contemplation alone may not sustain happiness without action or social connection. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afraid of death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid-of-death/) [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Contemplation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemplation/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Value Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/value-life/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) [Vanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vanity/) ## Related quotes > [Great wits, like great beauties, look upon mere esteem as a flat insipid thing; nothing less than admiration will content them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremiah-seed/great-wits-like-great-beauties-look-upon-mere-esteem-as-a-flat/) [Jeremiah Seed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremiah-seed/) > [Through concentration we become one-pointed and through meditation we expand our consciousness into the Vast. 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