“[P]leasure is in itself a good; nay, even setting aside immunity from pain, the only good: pain is in itself an evil; and, indeed, without exception, the only evil; or else the words good and evil have no meaning. And this is alike true of every sort of pain, and of every sort of pleasure.”

—  Jeremy Bentham , book An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation

Source: An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation (1789; 1823), Ch. 10: Of Motives

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Jeremy Bentham photo
Jeremy Bentham 30
British philosopher, jurist, and social reformer 1748–1832

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