Pleasure quotes
1.2K quotes on this topic — from poets, philosophers, and thinkers across history.
Explore further
Browse quotes that often appear alongside pleasure — connected by shared ideas and recurring themes.
Quote collection
Follow a thought to its author, or read the full quote page.
"Pleasure is a by-product of doing something that is worth doing. Therefore, do not seek pleasure as such. Pleasure comes of seeking something else, and comes by the way."
"There seems to be some pleasure for women in sick talk of one another."
"Who pleasure gives, Shall joy receive"
"It's not a pleasure torturing actors, although some of them enjoy it."
"The poor have very few hours in which to enjoy themselves; they must take their pleasure raw; they haven't the time to cook it."
"Those whose work and pleasure are one... are... Fortune's favoured children."
"The pleasure of life is according to the man that lives it, and not according to the work or place."
"If pleasure was not followed by pain, who would forbear it?"
"I am a friend to subordination, as most conducive to the happiness of society. There is a reciprocal pleasure in governing and being governed."
"Work is often the father of pleasure."
"There are some elements in life - above all, sexual pleasure - about which it isn't necessary to have a position."
"I love to write and I assure you I write regularly... But I write for myself, for my own pleasure. And I want to be left alone to do it."
"What is lawful is undesirable; what is unlawful is very attractive. [Lat., Quod licet est ingratum quod non licet acrius urit.]"
"Alluring pleasure is said to have softened the savage dispositions (of early mankind). [Lat., Blanda truces animos fertur mollisse voluptas.]"
"Follow not after the vain, understand the ills of sense pleasures. One who is vigilant and meditative, obtains deep joy."
"Seriousness is the deepest pleasure we have."
"To hell with pleasure that's haunted by fear."
"Thought nourishes, sustains and gives continuity to fear and pleasure."
"Once the state is looked upon as the source of rights, rather than their bound protector, freedom becomes conditional on the pleasure of the state."
"Pleasure that is its own pursuit is always bad pleasure."
