We are, or rather our natural desire to evade pain and to attain pleasure is, the primary reason we do or say every single thing we do or say.

Mokokoma Mokhonoana
About This Quote

Descartes said, “We are, or rather our natural desire to evade pain and to attain pleasure is, the primary reason we do or say every single thing we do or say.” He is saying that people do everything they do because they want to avoid pain and they want to attain pleasure. If you have a pain in your foot it would be reasonable for you to cover it with a bandage because you want it to go away. This is as true as saying that you would not wear a hat if it did not keep you warm. In all cases, the objective of the action is to avoid pain and gain pleasure.

Source: The Selfish Genie: A Satirical Essay On Altruism

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