The commonest and cheapest sounds, as the barking of a dog, produce the same effect on fresh and healthy ears that the rarest music does. It depends on your appetite for sound. Just as a crust is sweeter to a healthy appetite than confectionery to a pampered or diseased one.

Summary

This quote suggests that the perception and enjoyment of sound primarily depend on one's state of mind and personal preferences. It implies that even mundane and ordinary sounds, like a dog barking, can be just as enjoyable and satisfying to someone with a fresh and healthy mindset as rare and exquisite music would be. It draws a comparison to the idea that simple and natural things can be more pleasurable than artificially indulgent ones, as long as one's appetite is not spoiled or affected by excess or illness. Ultimately, the quote highlights the subjective nature of perception and the role of mindset in our appreciation of sounds.

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