Pursuing Quote by William B. Irvine
““Indeed, pursuing pleasure, Seneca warns, is like pursuing a wild beast: On being captured, it can turn on us and tear us to pieces. Or, changing the metaphor a bit, he tells us that intense pleasures, when captured by us, become our captors, meaning that the more pleasures a man captures, “the more masters will he have to serve.””
About This Quote
Source Book: A Guide to the Good Life by William B. Irvine, 2009
Pleasure when chased becomes a master that controls us, turning enjoyment into oppression.
In simple terms: Chasing pleasure can enslave you.
Key Takeaway
Beware of letting pleasure dominate you.
Themes
self‑control
pleasure
freedom
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
advice
When to use this quote
- personal goals
- consumer habits
- relationships
- career ambitions
Key Concepts
Stoicism
addiction
mastery
Questions to Reflect On
- What pleasures have you let control you?
- How can you enjoy without becoming enslaved?
A Different Perspective
Pleasure can still be healthy in moderation.
