Since pleasure is the first good and natural to us, for this very reason we do not choose every pleasure, but sometimes we pass over many pleasures, when greater discomfort accrues to us as the result of them; and similarly we think many pains better than pleasures, since a greater pleasure comes to us when we have endured pains for a long time. Every pleasure then because of its natural kinship to us is good, yet not every pleasure is to be chosen; even as every pain is also an evil, yet not all are always of a nature to be avoided. Yet by a scale of comparison and by the consideration of advantages and disadvantages we must form. our judgement on all these matters. For the good on certain occasions we treat as bad, and conversely the bad as good.
We must consider that of desires some are natural, others vain, and of the natural some are necessary and others merely natural; and of the necessary some are necessary for happiness, others for the repose of the body, and others for very life.
Unhappiness comes either through fear or through vain and unbridled desire; but if a man curbs these, he can win for himself' the blessedness of understanding. Of desires, all that do not lead to a sense of pain, if they are not satisfied, are not necessary, but involve a craving which is easily dispelled, when the object is hard to procure or they seem likely to produce harm. Wherever in the case of desires which are natural, but do not lead to a sense of pain, if they are not fulfilled, the effort is intense, such pleasures are due to idle imagination, and it is not owing to their own nature that they fail to be dispelled, but owing to the empty imaginings of the man.
The disturbance of the soul cannot be ended nor true joy created either by the possession of the greatest wealth or by honour and respect in the eyes of the mob or by anything else that is associated with causes of unlimited desires. We must not violate nature, but obey her; and we shah obey her if we fulfil the necessary desires and also the natural, if they bring no harm to us, but sternly reject the harmful. The man who follows nature and not vain opinions is independent in all things. For in reference to unlimited desires even the greatest wealth is not riches but poverty.
Insofar as you are in difficulties, it is because you forget nature; for you create for yourself unlimited fears and desires. It is better for you to be free of fear lying upon a pallet, than to have a golden couch and a rich table and be full of trouble.
What does "greater discomfort accrues to us" in Paragraph 1 mean here？
A．We get greater discomfort over a period of time.
B．We are tortured by greater discomfort.
C．Greater discomfort exists in our body.
D．Greater discomfort makes us miserable.
Summer is winding down, but it's still not too late to put the top down and hit the road. For those of us who can't spring for a Corvette or a BMW, here's some good news: Two of the coolest convertibles on the road are also more affordable-- Volkswagen's New Beetle and Chrysler's PT Cruiser.
Both start at about $20,000, seat four, and get between 22 and 24 miles per gallon from their four-cylinder engines. Each has fully insulated cloth tops with rear windows made of real glass, which makes them comfort- able to use in winter. Front-wheel drive helps make them safer to drive over snow and ice. Both also offer high- performance turbocharged models starting at about $25,000. Both have bulging fenders and cool, retro personalities.
Beyond that, they're very different. The PT Cruiser focuses on practicality, while the Beetle is more fun to drive.
That fun comes from the car's chassis, suspension, and overall structure. Crank the steering into a turn and the Car follows like an eager puppy. The engine isn't powerful, but loves to rev, so you can downshift to accelerate.
The New Beetle Convertible has developed an unfortunate reputation as a "chick car" for its cute looks and the lack of power in the standard model. But for an extra $1,600, VW offers its turbocharged version, with a 150 horsepower, 1.8 liter engine, which gives the car some snap.
Even so, the convertible top eliminates what little practicality the New Beetle hatchback offers. To fit the folding top, the back seat was narrowed and angled so upright it's uncomfortable. And the folded top sits above a tiny trunk, with only five cubic feet of capacity and accessible through a smaller porthole.
Weekend trippers had better not have kids --or plan to rough it with more than a backpack or two. Interior storage is also minuscule. As with the New Beetle hatchback, the windshield is disconcertingly far away, and the wipers clear only a small slit of a view in front. Compared with the profile of the hatchback, however, the convertible sports a top that' s lower and a little less cartoonlike.
The PT Cruiser, on the other hand, looks its sinister best with the top up. Peeling the top off reveals its cutesy "roll hoop". (Chrysler denies the hoop offers rollover protection and calls it a light bar.) But the Cruiser, like its four-door brethren, offers all the year-round practicality the original Beetle convertible did in its day. The back seat is comfortable for two people, and the trunk is roomy.
Unfortunately, it's also hard to access because the big trunk lid gets in the way when open. So instead of standing to load or unload the car, you have to squat or kneel. But the storage space is huge --the biggest I've seen in any convertible. And the back seats fold forward in case you need to carry some long cargo. The interior offers four cup holders and several large storage bins.
The 220-horsepower turbocharged engine in the GT model makes the Cruiser seriously quick, which backs up its hot-rod looks. But after that, the driving experience falls apart. Like its hot-rod inspirations, the Cruiser is best on a straight, smooth road. Over bumps, its floppy chassis wobbles like jello. On the highway, the Cruiser I tested needed continual corrections to stay in its lane. The manual shifter on the GT proved sloppy; it was hard to be sure which gear the car was about to engage. Several times I hit fifth gear when aiming for third. Chrysler apparently anticipated this problem, as a brief warning chimes to let you know when you're in reverse.
Neither the PT Cruiser convertible nor the New Beetle is perfect. But for fun in the sun or even the fall -- what could be better？ Both cars brought constant waves, smiles, and stories from passersby.
What's a convertible about if it isn't looking good on the road and brightening your day？
Those who choose Volkswagen's Ne
A．practicality
B．fun to drive
C．prices
D．style
After watching my mother deal with our family of five, I can't understand why her answer to the question, "What do you do？" is always, "Oh, I'm just a housewife." JUST a housewife？ Anyone who spends most of her time in meal preparation and clean-up, washing and drying clothes, keeping the house clean, leading a scout troop, playing taxi driver to us kids when it's time for school, music lessons or the dentist, doing volunteer work for her favorite charity, and making sure that all our family needs are met is not JUST a housewife, She's the real Wonder Woman.
Why is it that so many mothers like mine think of themselves as second-class or something similar？ Where has this notion come from？ Have we males made them feel this way？ Has our society made "going to work" outside the home seem more important than what a house wife must face each day？
I would be very curious to see what would happen if a housewife went on strike. Dishes would pile up. Food in the house would run out. No meals would appear on the table. There would be no clean clothes when needed. High boots would be required just to make it through the house scattered with garbage. Walking and bus riding would increase. Those scout troops would have to break up. Charities would suffer.
I doubt if the man of the house would be able to take over. Oh, he might start out with the attitude that he can do just as good a job, but how long would that last？ Not long, once he had to come home each night after work to more household duties. There would be no more coming home to a prepared meal; he'd have to fix it himself. The kids would all be screaming for something to eat, clean clothes and more bus fare money. Once he quieted the kids, he'd have to clean the house, go shopping, make sure that kids got a bath, and fix lunches for the next day. Once the kids were down for the night, he might be able to crawl into an unmade bed and, try to read the morning newspaper.
No, I don't think many males are going to volunteer for the job. I know I don't want it. So, thanks, mom! I'll do what I can to create a national holiday for housewives. It could be appropriately called Wonder Woman Day.
By what means do the children of the author's family go to school？
A．They take school bus.
B．They take a taxi.
C．Their mother drives for them.
D．Scout troop sends them to school.
