Under the pressure of the cares and sorrows of our mortal condition, men have at all times, and in all countries, called in some physical aid to their moral consolations -- wine, beer, opium, brandy, or tobacco.

Summary

This quote suggests that throughout history and across cultures, people have often sought physical substances like alcohol, drugs, and tobacco to find solace and comfort in the face of the burdens and sadness of human life. It implies that in times of hardship, individuals have turned to these substances as a means of temporarily escaping or numbing their pain and seeking relief.