Reason must work to manipulate conditions in order to maximize pleasure. Reason must master pleasure and not be mastered by it, although coming by pleasure is not always under our control. Pleasure is good even if it results from the most unseemly conduct. Nothing is good or bad by nature, but only by convention and custom. We cannot feel the pleasures and the pains of others.
Friendship is for the sake of pleasure.
The pleasure of a friend is not in itself desirable, for it is not felt by his neighbor. The wise man will consider first his own interests, for he does not regard anyone else as equally deserving. The wise man would indulge his desires openly without concern for circumstances. This philosophical commentary, though still in process, is the intellectual property of Gordon L. Ziniewicz. This file may be downloaded and freely distributed in electronic form only, provided no alterations are made to the original text, including this copyright notice.