"I once went through books and wanted to understand what philosophers said about life. Some of them saw everything as dark. "Since we are nothing and we will reach zero, there is no room for joy and happiness during our temporary life on earth," they said. I read other books, written by wiser men. They were saying: "Since the end is zero anyway, let us at least be joyful and cheerful as long as we live." For my own character I like the second view of life, but within these limits: A man who sees the existence of all mankind in his own person is pathetic. Obviously that man will perish as an individual. What is necessary for any man to be satisfied and happy as long as he lives is not to work for himself, but for those who will come after him. Only in this way can a man of understanding act. Complete pleasure and happiness in life can only be found in working for the honor, existence and happiness of future generations."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, during his conversation with Romanian Foreign Minister Victor Antonescu on 20 March 1937
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Pleasure
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Pleasure
75 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Pleasure →
Related Quotes
"Vivo et regno, simul ista reliqui Quæ vos ad cœlum effertis rumore secundo."
"Voluptates commendat rarior usus."
"Follow pleasure, and then will pleasure flee, Flee pleasure, and pleasure will follow thee."
"Sperne voluptates; nocet empta dolore voluptas."
"I fly from pleasure, because pleasure has ceased to please: I am lonely because I am miserable."
"Pleasure the servant, Virtue looking on."
"Pleasure admitted in undue degree Enslaves the will, nor leaves the judgment free."
"Men may scoff, and men may pray, But they pay Every pleasure with a pain."
"Ficta voluptatis causa sint proxima veris."
"Medio de fonte leporum Surgit amari aliquid, quod in ipsis floribus angat."