There are people who strictly deprive themselves of each and every eatable, drinkable, and smokable which has in any way acquired a shady reputation. They pay this price for health. And health is all they get for it. How strange it is. It is like paying out your whole fortune for a cow that has gone dry.

Summary

This quote highlights the fascinating paradox of people who sacrifice their pleasures and indulge in extreme self-deprivation for the sake of obtaining good health. The analogy of paying a fortune for a cow that can no longer produce milk emphasizes the irony of pursuing a single-minded focus on health at the expense of all other aspects of life. In essence, it suggests that such individuals may be missing out on the joy and satisfaction that come from experiencing a balanced and fulfilling existence.