“To say that we know not
what does or does not lead to happiness
is as high a pitch, I think,
as absurdity has ever reached in philosophical discourse.”
For a long time I had this quote lodged in my mind
Spoke it often in conversation
One of the last bits of intellectual sediment
That had settled on the riverbed of my mind
After a freshman year philosophy class.
But when I came across the text years later
A long search for the quote
Turned up nothing.
Had I just made it up?
Despite the mellifluous phrasing
It occurs to me that the sentiment may be mistaken
If indeed it exists at all.
what does or does not lead to happiness
is as high a pitch, I think,
as absurdity has ever reached in philosophical discourse.”
For a long time I had this quote lodged in my mind
Spoke it often in conversation
One of the last bits of intellectual sediment
That had settled on the riverbed of my mind
After a freshman year philosophy class.
But when I came across the text years later
A long search for the quote
Turned up nothing.
Had I just made it up?
Despite the mellifluous phrasing
It occurs to me that the sentiment may be mistaken
If indeed it exists at all.
He also wrote (as I recall)
Regarding the pleasures of intellectual pursuits
"Better to be Socrates dissatisfied
Than a pig satisfied."
On lonely Sunday afternoons
I'm not so sure about that one either.
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