I always do the first line well, but I have trouble doing the others.
True, Heaven prohibits certain pleasures; but one can generally negotiate a compromise.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that while there are moral limitations on pleasure, individuals often find ways to navigate those boundaries.
Moliere's quote reflects the human tendency to seek pleasure even in the face of moral or societal restrictions. It implies that while certain joys may be deemed inappropriate by higher authorities or ethical standards, a compromise can be reached, allowing individuals to indulge in some form of enjoyment without completely crossing the line. This highlights the conflict between human desires and moral imperatives, showcasing a pragmatic approach to pleasure.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote is perfect for a discussion on the balance between ethics and personal desires in a philosophy class.
More from Moliere
All quotes →Beauty without intelligence is like a hook without bait.
Betrayed and wronged in everything, I’ll flee this bitter world where vice is king, And seek some spot unpeopled and apart Where I’ll be free to have an honest heart. - Molière, The Misanthrope
Long is the road from conception to completion.
Oh, I may be devout, but I am human all the same.
Hypocrisy is a fashionable vice, and all fashionable vices pass for virtue.
Similar quotes
They thought that it would be a disgrace to go forth as a group. Each entered the forest at a point that he himself had chosen, where it was darkest and there was no path. If there is a path it is someone else's path and you are not on the adventure.
Because you are defined not by life's imperfect moments, but by your reaction to them. And because there is joy in embracing - rather than running from - the utter absurdity of life.
This moment! - this here-now - is forgotten when you start thinking in terms of achieving something. When the achieving mind arises, you lose contact with the paradise you are in.
To put it in a terminology that hearkens back to the more brutal age of ancient empires, the three grand imperatives of imperial geo-strategy are to prevent collusion and maintain security dependence among the vassals, to keep tributaries pliant and protected, and to keep the barbarians from coming together.
Donde termina el arco iris, en tu alma o en el horizonte? Where does the rainbow end, in your soul or on the horizon?
That's the kind of consumer society we live in. We're always looking for the next product that's going to change your life instead of just going out and changing your life.