In pain there is as much wisdom as
in pleasure: like the latter it is one of the best
self-preservatives of a the latter it is one of the
best self-preservatives of a species. Were it not
so, pain would long ago have been done away with;
that it is hurtful is no argument against it; for
to be hurtful is its very essence... We must also
know how to live with reduced energy: as soon as pain
gives its precautionary signal, it is time to reduce
the speed- some great danger, some storm is approaching,
and we do well to 'catch' as little wind as possible.
It is true that there are men who, on the approach
of severe pain, hear the very opposite call of command,
and never appear more proud, more martial, or more
happy than when the storm is brewing; indeed, pain
itself provides them with their supreme moments! These
are the heroic men, the great pain bringers of mankind:
those few and rare ones who need just the same apology
as pain generally, and verily, it should not be denied
them! They are forces of the greatest importance for
preserving and advancing the species, be it only because
they are opposed to smug ease, and do not conceal
their disgust at this kind of happiness.
F. Nietzsche
"Joyful Wisdom, Book IV"
Our natural way of thinking about ... emotions is
that the mental perception of some facts excites the
mental affection called the emotion, and that this
latter state of mind gives rise to the bodily expression.
My theory, on the contrary, is that the bodily changes
follow directly the perception of the exciting fact,
and that our feeling of the same changes as they occur
is the emotion.
W. James
(1842-1910)
"Principles of Psychology"
Emotion is that which leads one's
condition to become so transformed that his judgement
is affected, and which is accompanied by pleasure
and pain. Examples of emotions include anger, fear,
pity and the like, as well as the opposites of these.
Aristotle(384-322
B.C.)
"Rhetoric"
We merely state that they [emotions]
all are tantamount to setting up a magical world
by using the body as a means of incantation
Jean-Paul Sartre
(1905-1980)
"The Emotions: Outline of a Theory"
As when some shepherd, from the rustling trees
Shot forth to view, a scaly serpent sees,
Trembling and pale, he starts with wild affright
And all confused precipitates his flight:
So from the king the shining warrior flies,
And plunged amid the thickest Trojans lies
Homer (800-500 B.C)
"Iliad"
As when some peasant in a bushy brake
Has with unwary footing press'd a snake;
He starts aside, astonish'd, when he spies
His rising crest, blue neck, and rolling eyes"
So from our arms supris'd Androgeos flies.'
Virgil (750-700 B.C)
"Aeneid"