---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Pleasure and pain, though directly…"
description: "\"Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite, are yet so contrived by nature as to be constant companions; and it is a fact that the same motions and mu..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cf/pierre-charron-21812_companion_pleasure-and-pain-though-directly-opposi_2485240.png"
---

#  Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite, are yet so…

![“Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite, are yet so contrived by nature as to be constant companions; and it is a fact that the same motions and muscles of the face are employed both in laughing and crying.” quote by Pierre Charron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cf/pierre-charron-21812_companion_pleasure-and-pain-though-directly-opposi_2485240.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cf/pierre-charron-21812_companion_pleasure-and-pain-though-directly-opposi_2485240.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cf/pierre-charron-21812_companion_pleasure-and-pain-though-directly-opposi_2485240.png)

> “Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite, are yet so contrived by nature as to be constant companions; and it is a fact that the same motions and muscles of the face are employed both in laughing and crying.”

[Pierre Charron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-charron/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Human expressions of joy and sorrow share the same facial muscles, showing how nature links opposite emotions as constant companions.

**In simple terms:** Joy and sorrow use the same facial muscles.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the shared physical basis of emotions.

Themes

psychology human nature emotion duality

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

philosophical observational

When to use this quote

- interpersonal communication
- therapy
- acting
- public speaking

Key Concepts

facial expression neuroscience philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

- How does recognizing this affect empathy?
- Can we train ourselves to mask pain?

A Different Perspective

Physical similarity does not mean emotional similarity.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Companion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/companion/) [Constant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constant/) [Constant Companions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constant-companions-906815/) [Contrived Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contrived-nature-906814/) [Cry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cry/) [Employed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/employed/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Laughing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughing/) [Laughing Crying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughing-crying-801688/) [Muscles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/muscles/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Opposite Contrived](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposite-contrived-906813/) [Opposites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposites/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [Pain and pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain-and-pleasure/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) [Pleasure And Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure-and-pain/) [Pleasure Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure-pain-275605/)

## Related quotes

> [Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite are contrived to be constant companions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-charron/pleasure-and-pain-though-directly-opposite-are-contrived-to-be/)

[Pierre Charron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-charron/)

> [Pleasure and pain are the only springs of action in man, and always will be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-adrien-helvetius/pleasure-and-pain-are-the-only-springs-of-action-in-man-and-always/)

[Claude Adrien Helvetius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-adrien-helvetius/)

> [“Much of that afternoon remains an intense blur: Maybe extremes of pleasure and pain are just too much for the memory to handle, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-sanderson/much-of-that-afternoon-remains-an-intense-blur-maybe-extremes-of/)

[Catherine Sanderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-sanderson/)

> [LIFE IS LIKE A COIN ….. PLEASURE AND PAIN ARE TWO SIDES … ONLY ONE SIDE IS VISIBLE AT A TIME … . BUT…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanjufago/life-is-like-a-coin-pleasure-and-pain-are-two-sides-only-one-side-is/)

[Sanjufago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanjufago/)

> [Most of life is so dull that there is nothing to be said about it, and the books and talks that would describe it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster/most-of-life-is-so-dull-that-there-is-nothing-to-be-said-about-it-and/)

[E. M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster/)

> [Pleasure and pain are only aspects of the mind. Our essential nature is happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramana-maharshi/pleasure-and-pain-are-only-aspects-of-the-mind-our-essential-nature/)

[Ramana Maharshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramana-maharshi/)

> [“Pleasure and pain are merely states of mind, rather than situations. Every situation is neutral.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-levin/pleasure-and-pain-are-merely-states-of-mind-rather-than-situations/)

[Daniel Levin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-levin/)

> [Life is both pleasure and pain, is it not? But why should we cling to pleasure and avoid pain? Why not merely live with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/life-is-both-pleasure-and-pain-is-it-not-but-why-should-we-cling-to/)

[Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/)

> [LOVE: We think about it, Sing about it, Dream about it &amp;Loose sleep worrying about it. When we dont know we have it, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-we-think-about-it-sing-about-it-dream-about-it-loose-sleep/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [My prize, my pleasure and pain, my endless desire. I've never know anyone like you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/my-prize-my-pleasure-and-pain-my-endless-desire-i-ve-never-know/)

[Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/)

> [“Going through a dead parent's memorabilia is a hazardous undertaking; there is a fine line between pleasure and pain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-fadiman/going-through-a-dead-parent-s-memorabilia-is-a-hazardous-undertaking/)

[Anne Fadiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-fadiman/)

> [Love? we think about it, sing about it, dream about it, lose sleep worring about it, when we dont have it we search for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana/love-we-think-about-it-sing-about-it-dream-about-it-lose-sleep/)

[Ana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana/)

> [“Feeling pleasure and pain, a sweet mixture that left you breathless and begging for more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-culbreth/feeling-pleasure-and-pain-a-sweet-mixture-that-left-you-breathless/)

[Jennifer Culbreth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-culbreth/)

> [“Agony and ecstasy, pleasure and pain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/agony-and-ecstasy-pleasure-and-pain/)

[Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/)

> [Theres a very fine line between pleasure and pain. They are two sides of the same coin, one not existing without the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/50-shdes-of-grey/theres-a-very-fine-line-between-pleasure-and-pain-they-are-two-sides/)

[50 Shdes Of Grey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/50-shdes-of-grey/)

## More by Pierre Charron

> [The most excellent and divine counsel, the best and most profitable advertisement of all others, but the least practiced, is to study and learn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-charron/the-most-excellent-and-divine-counsel-the-best-and-most-profitable/)

[Pierre Charron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-charron/)

> [Mutability is the badge of infirmity. It is seldom that a man continues to wish and design the same thing two days alike. Now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-charron/mutability-is-the-badge-of-infirmity-it-is-seldom-that-a-man/)

[Pierre Charron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-charron/)

> [To owe an obligation to a worthy friend is a happiness, and can be no disparagement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-charron/to-owe-an-obligation-to-a-worthy-friend-is-a-happiness-and-can-be-no/)

[Pierre Charron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-charron/)

> [ \[Envy not for...\] Whatever difference there may appear to be in men's fortunes, there is still a certain compensation of good and ill in… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-charron/envy-not-for-whatever-difference-there-may-appear-to-be-in-men-s/)

[Pierre Charron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-charron/)

> [Despair is like forward children, who, when you take away one of their playthings, throw the rest into the fire for madness. It grows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-charron/despair-is-like-forward-children-who-when-you-take-away-one-of-their/)

[Pierre Charron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-charron/)

> [He who receives a benefit should never forget it; he who bestows should never remember it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-charron/he-who-receives-a-benefit-should-never-forget-it-he-who-bestows/)

[Pierre Charron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-charron/)

> [God, Nature, the wise, the world, preach man, exhort him both by word and deed to the study of himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-charron/god-nature-the-wise-the-world-preach-man-exhort-him-both-by-word-and/)

[Pierre Charron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-charron/)

> [The easiest way to be cheated is to believe yourself to be more cunning than others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-charron/the-easiest-way-to-be-cheated-is-to-believe-yourself-to-be-more/)

[Pierre Charron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-charron/)

> [The true science and study of mankind is man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-charron/the-true-science-and-study-of-mankind-is-man/)

[Pierre Charron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-charron/)

> [Gratitude is a duty none can be excused from, because it is always at our own disposal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-charron/gratitude-is-a-duty-none-can-be-excused-from-because-it-is-always-at/)

[Pierre Charron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-charron/)

> [The shortest follies are the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-charron/the-shortest-follies-are-the-best/)

[Pierre Charron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-charron/)

> [All religions are pieced together out of elements which seem so at odds with reason that any intelligence laughs at them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-charron/all-religions-are-pieced-together-out-of-elements-which-seem-so-at/)

[Pierre Charron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-charron/)

> [The true science and study of man is man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-charron/the-true-science-and-study-of-man-is-man/)

[Pierre Charron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-charron/)

> [ The shortest follies are the best. \[Fr., Les plus courtes folies sont les meilleures.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-charron/the-shortest-follies-are-the-best-fr-les-plus-courtes-folies-sont-les/)

[Pierre Charron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-charron/)

> [Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite are contrived to be constant companions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-charron/pleasure-and-pain-though-directly-opposite-are-contrived-to-be/)

[Pierre Charron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-charron/)

[Explore all 28 Pierre Charron quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-charron/)

## More Companion quotes

> [A man cannot speak but he judges himself. With his will or against his will he draws his portrait to the eye of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-man-cannot-speak-but-he-judges-himself-with-his-will-or-against-his/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [One must accept the fact that we have only one companion in this world, a companion who accompanies us from the cradle to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agatha-christie/one-must-accept-the-fact-that-we-have-only-one-companion-in-this/)

[Agatha Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agatha-christie/)

> [One of the most powerful concepts, one which is a sure cure for lack of confidence, is the thought that God is with you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/one-of-the-most-powerful-concepts-one-which-is-a-sure-cure-for-lack/)

[Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/)

> [I am simply looking for a companion with whom to spend my days, a companion who will cherish as much as I the stupidity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-julavits/i-am-simply-looking-for-a-companion-with-whom-to-spend-my-days-a/)

[Heidi Julavits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heidi-julavits/)

> [I and my companions suffer from a disease of the heart which can be cured only with gold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-and-my-companions-suffer-from-a-disease-of-the-heart-which-can-be/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The adult who puts his arm around his companion in the ballroom, and the child in the roadway, skipping in a round dance -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curt-sachs/the-adult-who-puts-his-arm-around-his-companion-in-the-ballroom-and/)

[Curt Sachs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curt-sachs/)

> [True, the fragile bodies of his fellows do not weigh down his plane; true, the fretful minds of weaker men are missing from his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lindbergh/true-the-fragile-bodies-of-his-fellows-do-not-weigh-down-his-plane/)

[Charles Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lindbergh/)

> [God is our portion, Christ our companion, the Spirit our Comforter, Earth our lodge, and Heaven is our home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/god-is-our-portion-christ-our-companion-the-spirit-our-comforter/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [The thing that counts most in the pursuit of happiness is choosing the right companion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/the-thing-that-counts-most-in-the-pursuit-of-happiness-is-choosing/)

[Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/)

> [“Some of our friends are our friends only because we used to be friends.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/some-of-our-friends-are-our-friends-only-because-we-used-to-be-friends/)

[Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/)

> [I am a frayed and nibbled survivor in a fallen world, and I am getting along. I am aging and eaten and have done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-dillard/i-am-a-frayed-and-nibbled-survivor-in-a-fallen-world-and-i-am-getting/)

[Annie Dillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-dillard/)

> [ \[A cat\] will make itself the companion of your hours of work, of loneliness, or of sadness. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophile-gautier/a-cat-will-make-itself-the-companion-of-your-hours-of-work-of/)

[Theophile Gautier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophile-gautier/)

> [Those who grieve frequently find themselves alone. Missed is the laughter of children, the commotion of teenagers, and the tender, loving concern of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/those-who-grieve-frequently-find-themselves-alone-missed-is-the/)

[Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/)

> [Plato calls complacency the companion of loneliness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-grillparzer/plato-calls-complacency-the-companion-of-loneliness/)

[Franz Grillparzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-grillparzer/)

> [The burning soul, the burden'd mind, In books alone companions find.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-josepha-hale/the-burning-soul-the-burden-d-mind-in-books-alone-companions-find/)

[Sarah Josepha Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-josepha-hale/)

[Browse all 1,106 Companion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/companion/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite, are yet so contrived by nature as to be constant companions; and it is a fact that the same motions and muscles of the face are employed both in laughing and crying.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Pierre Charron"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-charron/pleasure-and-pain-though-directly-opposite-are-yet-so-contrived-by/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Companion"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-charron/pleasure-and-pain-though-directly-opposite-are-yet-so-contrived-by/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cf/pierre-charron-21812_companion_pleasure-and-pain-though-directly-opposi_2485240.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cf/pierre-charron-21812_companion_pleasure-and-pain-though-directly-opposi_2485240.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cf/pierre-charron-21812_companion_pleasure-and-pain-though-directly-opposi_2485240.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite, are yet so contrived by nature as to be constant companions…” — Pierre Charron",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Pierre Charron",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-charron/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-charron/pleasure-and-pain-though-directly-opposite-are-yet-so-contrived-by/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-charron/pleasure-and-pain-though-directly-opposite-are-yet-so-contrived-by/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
