Pleasure cannot be shared; like Pain, it can only be experienced or inflicted, and when we give pleasure to our Lovers or bestow Charity upon the Needy, we do so, not to gratify the object of our Benevolence, but only ourselves. For the Truth is that we are kind for the same reason as we are cruel, in order that we may enhance the sense of our own Power.

Summary

This quote suggests that pleasure and pain are personal experiences that cannot be shared directly with others. It emphasizes that when we bring pleasure to our loved ones or engage in acts of charity, we do so in part to satisfy ourselves rather than solely benefiting the recipients. It further contends that our acts of kindness and cruelty ultimately stem from a desire to enhance our own power and control over others.

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