Some say that happiness is not good for mortals, and they ought to be answered that sorrow is not fit for immortals and is utterly useless to any one; a blight never does good to a tree, and if a blight kill not a tree but it still bear fruit, let none say that the fruit was in consequence of the blight.

Summary

This quote challenges the notion that happiness is detrimental to mortal beings. It argues that sorrow, rather than happiness, is unfit for immortal beings and serves no purpose for anyone. The comparison is drawn to a blight on a tree – if the blight doesn't kill the tree but it continues to bear fruit, the quote suggests that one cannot credit the fruit's existence to the blight. In essence, the quote encourages the idea that happiness is essential and beneficial, while sorrow is pointless and should be rejected.

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