QuoteProject
No sane man can afford to dispense with debilitating pleasures. No ascetic can be considered reliably sane.
A. J. Liebling
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Pleasures are essential for a balanced and sane life; rejecting them completely can lead to an unstable mindset.

A. J. Liebling emphasizes the importance of pleasures in maintaining mental health and stability. The quote suggests that eschewing pleasures, as an ascetic might, can lead to a form of insanity, indicating that a sane person recognizes the need for enjoyment and fulfillment in life.

Themes

PleasureSanityAsceticismLifeHappiness

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about work-life balance, one could use this quote to emphasize the need for relaxation and enjoyment.

More from A. J. Liebling

The function of the press in society is to inform, but its role in society is to make money.
A. J. LieblingRead
The primary requisite for writing well about food is a good appetite. Without this, it is impossible to accumulate, within the allotted span, enough experience of eating to have anything worth setting down.
A. J. LieblingRead
A city with one newspaper... is like a man with one eye, and often the eye is glass.
A. J. LieblingRead
I take a grave view of the press. It is the weak slat under the bed of democracy
A. J. LieblingRead
A city with one newspaper, or with a morning and an evening paper under one ownership, is like a man with one eye, and often the eye is glass.
A. J. LieblingRead
Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one.
A. J. LieblingRead

Similar quotes

Could I be assured that America would remain virtuous, I would venture to defy the utmost Efforts of Enemies to subjugate her.
Samuel AdamsRead
What do you say we lighten things up and talk about abortion?
Bill HicksRead
When you go deeply into the present, gratitude arises spontaneously, even if it's just gratitude for breathing, gratitude for the aliveness that you feel in your body. Gratitude is there when you acknowledge the aliveness of the present moment.
Eckhart TolleRead
Some false representations contravene the law; some do not. The law does not pretend to punish everything that is dishonest. That would seriously interfere with business, and, besides, could not be done. The line between honesty and dishonesty is a narrow, shifting one and usually lets those get by that are the most subtle and already have more than they can use.
Clarence DarrowRead
One of my favorite philosophical tenets is that people will agree with you only if they already agree with you. You do not change people's minds.
Frank ZappaRead
No lusting after your neighbor's house - or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey. Don't set your heart on anything that is your neighbor's.
MosesRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.