Pleasure Quote by Plato
““What a strange thing that which men call pleasure seems to be, and how astonishing the relation it has with what is thought to be its opposite, namely pain! A man cannot have both at the same time. Yet if he pursues and catches the one, he is almost always bound to catch the other also, like two creatures with one head.””
About This Quote
Source Dialogue: Republic, Book X, Plato, c. 380 BC
Pleasure and pain are intimately linked; seeking one often brings the other, showing they are two sides of the same coin.
In simple terms: Pleasure and pain are connected.
Recognize the dual nature of desire.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal decision
- mental health
- spiritual practice
- addiction recovery
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance seeking pleasure with avoiding pain?
- What does this duality reveal about human motivation?
Pleasure can dominate rational choice, leading to imbalance.