To live is to suffer...

[oats]

Originally Posted by Mael

To exist would have been more appropriate, imo.

Pain and pleasure are two sides of the same coin, inextricably linked by the presence of an observer (the coin's center). If I decided to start smoking tomorrow, along with a diet that consisted of nothing but junk food for the rest of the year, a life devoid of suffering would mean a lack of consequence. That would be absurd, and thus value is negated (being healthy would have no specific meaning).

However, there is greater significance in an act whereby the opposing force is greater than yourself. It would be more impressive to see an old man with a sprained ankle complete a marathon, rather than a young, fit guy.

So what we end up with is a pursuit to find both states of the highest value and significance. And this must come through suffering (the inherent opposing force).

I came in here to redeem my previous stupidity with a Henrich Ibsen quote:

("To live it to do battle with trolls
in the vaults of the heart and brain.
To write: that is to sit
in judgement over one's self.")

but this caught my attention. elaborate.