Therefore, among these sorts of things, he is held back by a wise choice, such as from offensive pleasures greater than the alias or from bitter pain that is to be rejected. However, at certain times, certain individuals are owed or are due certain necessities, which often happen and are pleased by the pleasure of the mind, but not grudgingly. Therefore, among these sorts of things, he is held back by a wise choice, such as from offensive pleasures greater than the alias or from bitter pain. it is the right amount of pride that is due to the present suffering caused by the resentment of those pains, since by the same amount of pains they are to be blamed for the office of the mind, which is to say, it is the work and the pain.
And indeed, a clear and straightforward distinction can be made between these matters. For in our leisure time, when we are free to choose whatever we wish and nothing prevents us from doing what we find most pleasing, all pleasure should be embraced, and all pain rejected. However, in certain circumstances—whether due to professional obligations or the necessities of life—it will often happen that, so that you may understand the origin of this error which accuses pleasure and praises pain, I shall explain the whole matter, and I shall expound upon those very principles which have been laid down by that inventor of truth and architect of the happy life.
No one, therefore, dislikes, or avoids, or shuns pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves, or pursues, or wishes to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?.