Desirable Quote by John Stuart Mill
“All desirable things... are desirable either for the pleasure inherent in themselves, or as a means to the promotion of pleasure and the prevention of pain.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Utilitarianism, John Stuart Mill, 1863
People value things either for their own enjoyment or for the benefits they bring, including avoiding suffering.
In simple terms: Things are valued for pleasure or to avoid pain.
Key Takeaway
Seek pleasure, avoid pain.
Themes
ethics
pleasure
pain
values
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal decisions
- policy making
- consumer choices
- healthcare
- education
Key Concepts
utilitarianism
consequentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- What pleasures are truly beneficial?
- How do you balance pleasure and pain?
A Different Perspective
Not all pleasures are equally beneficial; some may cause harm.
![“[For people] to refuse a hearing to an opinion, because they are sure that it is false, is to assume that their certainty is the same thing as absolute certainty. All silencing of discussion is an assumption of infallibility.” quote by John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c53/john-stuart-mill-477_doubt_for-people-to-refuse-a-hearing-to-an-opi_63929.jpg)
