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LIV explained
A brief, aphoristic statement on the nature of pleasure, observing that the rarest pleasures provide the greatest delight.
What happens
A brief, aphoristic statement on the nature of pleasure, observing that the rarest pleasures provide the greatest delight.
Themes in this chapter
Moderation and Simplicity
The excerpt implicitly critiques the pursuit of common or constant pleasures, suggesting that true delight is found in rarity and, by extension, in not overindulging the senses.
Key passages
“Of pleasures those which occur most rarely give the greatest delight.”
The most intense joys come from experiences that are infrequent, not from those that are commonplace or constantly sought.
This concise observation connects the value of pleasure to its scarcity, advising a measured approach to seeking gratification.