It is clear that men accept an immediate pain rather than an immediate pleasure, but only because they expect a greater pleasure in the future. Often the pleasure is illusory, but their error in calculation is no refutation of the rule. You are puzzled because you cannot get over the idea that pleasures are only of the sense; but, child, a man who dies for his country dies because he likes it as surely as a man eats pickled cabbage because he likes it.
This quote suggests that men often choose immediate discomfort over temporary pleasure, driven by the hope of greater satisfaction in the future. This decision, even when based on flawed expectations, reinforces the notion that individuals prioritize long-term rewards over short-term gains. The author highlights that the pursuit of such future pleasure is a common human tendency, regardless of the accuracy of one's judgments.
The author also challenges the perception that pleasures...
