... the more a human creature has tasted of bitter things the more it hungers after the sweet things of life. And we, wrapped round in rags of our virtues, and regarding others through the mist of our self-sufficiency, and persuaded of our universal impeccability, do not understand this.
Many people fail to realize that experiencing difficult or bitter experiences in life often increases their desire for happiness and sweetness. Those who have endured hardships tend to seek out pleasurable moments more intensely than others who have not faced such struggles.
Gorky suggests that humans are often blind to this truth because we wrap ourselves in false virtues and see ourselves as morally perfect. Our self-confidence and sense of superiority distort our understanding of our true desires, making us unaware of the natural longing for joy that comes from having endured hardships.
