Do not mistake pleasure for happiness.

When we contemplate the interesting point raised by this cartoon:

http://explosm.net/db/files/Comics/Dave/yummyyummyyummyyummycake.png

... we have a bit of a philosophical problem.

The cartoonist's point seems to make sense. But we know from experience, those of who lift, or do other hard physical exercise, that the lifter is living a better, more enjoyable life than the cake-eater. Cake tastes good, and lifting hurts. But people who eat cake a lot are fat and miserable, while people who lift a lot are usually healthy and happy about their bodies.

The cartoonist has mistaken pleasure for happiness.

Pleasure is what feels good right now... but that good feeling goes away as soon as the pleasure stops. Happiness is overall, lasting satisfaction with your life. The cake-eater's good feelings will go away as soon as the cake is gone. The lifter's good feelings won't be there while he's lifting, but when he sees the results, the good feelings are there to stay.

When we see people compulsively pursuing pleasure (making themselves fat with too much sugar, feeding drug habits, trying to have sex with as many new women as possible, working like slaves trying to become rich, gambling, compulsive spending, etc), consider the possibility that they are trying to treat their lack of happiness with pleasure.

This only works while they are actually experiencing the pleasure. The moment one hit wears off, they need the next. Their overall level of happiness hasn't changed... that's if they haven't made themselves less happy with what they had to do to chase pleasure.

Our society's plan for men, of course, includes no happiness, and as little pleasure as possible while still anesthetizing us enough to make us keep working and paying and supporting and contributing. When we wake up to this fact, we realize we must make our own plans.

But filling those plans with pleasure at the expense of happiness is a bad trap to fall into.

Instead, the wise man will pursue happiness, not pleasure. He will lift weights instead of a dessert fork or shot glass. He will pursue the awesomest career instead of the most highly paid. He will surround himself with the best women, instead of the next woman.

We needn't become monks or Amish farmers... we can sometimes indulge in pleasure without damaging our happiness. But when choosing between what feels good, and what gives a lasting sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, choose the latter.