he observed that it was strange how differently wine took different men – some grew glum and fault-finding, some quarrelsome or tearful; for his part he found it did not affect him at all, except perhaps to make him like people rather more, and to make the world seem a more cheerful place. 'Not that it could be much more cheerful than it is already,' he added
The character in "The Surgeon's Mate" by Patrick O'Brian reflects on the varied effects of wine on different individuals. He notes that while some people become irritable, argumentative, or overly emotional after drinking, he personally experiences no adverse changes. Instead, he finds that wine enhances his feelings of goodwill towards others and contributes to a more positive view of the world around him.
This observation highlights the subjective nature of alcohol's impact, revealing how it can influence behavior in contrasting ways. While for some, it leads to negativity, for him, it serves as a social lubricant that increases his appreciation for life's cheerfulness. His contemplation underscores the complexity of human reactions to substances and the broad spectrum of experiences they can create.
