I despise the pleasure of pleasing people that I despise.

I despise the pleasure of pleasing people that I despise.

But pleasures are like poppies spread;
You seize the flower, its bloom is shed.
Or like the read more

But pleasures are like poppies spread;
You seize the flower, its bloom is shed.
Or like the snow falls in the river,
A moment white--then melts forever.

I live and reign since I have abandoned those pleasures which you
by your praises extol to the skies.
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I live and reign since I have abandoned those pleasures which you
by your praises extol to the skies.
[Lat., Vivo et regno, simul ista reliqui
Quae vos ad coelum effertis rumore secundo.]

O Athenians, what toil do I undergo to please you!

O Athenians, what toil do I undergo to please you!

Rich the treasure,
Sweet the pleasure,
Sweet is pleasure after pain.

Rich the treasure,
Sweet the pleasure,
Sweet is pleasure after pain.

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There read more

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society where none intrudes
By the deep Sea, and music in its roar.

Pleasure is often spoiled by describing it.

Pleasure is often spoiled by describing it.

Pleasure is the greatest incentive to evil.

Pleasure is the greatest incentive to evil.

Men may scoff, and men may pray,
But they pay
Every pleasure with a pain.

Men may scoff, and men may pray,
But they pay
Every pleasure with a pain.