"Celui qui sait que le plaisir est faux, mais prend néanmoins du plaisir, est plus complet en tant qu'humain."

The essence of the quote is about understanding and embracing the difference between reality and illusion while still finding joy in the illusion. It’s like knowing a magic trick is just sleight of hand but still being amazed and entertained by it.

Historically, this kind of thinking ties back to ancient philosophies. For instance, the Stoics and the Epicureans had different takes on pleasure and reality. The Stoics might have seen the acceptance of the false as a sign of wisdom, while the Epicureans would argue that pleasure itself is a good, regardless of its source. In modern times, it’s the kind of mindset that lets us enjoy movies, video games, or even a well-told lie, knowing fully well that it’s all crafted fiction.

Let's talk about a real-life example to make this clearer. Think about watching a superhero movie. You know that people can’t fly or shoot lasers out of their eyes—that’s all special effects and CGI. But that doesn’t stop you from getting lost in the story, feeling the excitement, and rooting for the hero. You’re fully aware it’s not real, but you allow yourself to be immersed and enjoy the experience. This ability to take pleasure in something you know isn’t real shows a certain depth of understanding and appreciation.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your life? Start by acknowledging the things you enjoy, even if they’re not entirely based in reality. Maybe you like to binge-watch reality TV shows, even though you know they’re heavily edited and scripted. Or perhaps you enjoy reading fantasy novels, fully aware that magic doesn’t exist. Don’t feel guilty about these pleasures. Embrace them. Recognize that it’s okay to derive joy from things that are crafted or exaggerated.

Now, picture this: It's a rainy Sunday afternoon, and you decide to dive into a book—a romance novel, let’s say. You know the story is fiction, the characters are made up, and the dramatic love story isn’t real. But you get lost in the pages, feeling the characters’ emotions, the ups and downs of their love, and the happy ending that leaves you with a warm heart. You close the book with a smile, feeling satisfied. You’ve engaged with something false, yet you’ve found genuine pleasure in it. That’s what the quote is getting at. It’s about the richness of human experience—embracing the false, yet finding real joy.

In our daily lives, we encounter a lot of things that aren’t completely real or authentic. Advertising, social media, even some of our interactions can be tinged with exaggeration or pretense. But that doesn’t mean we can’t find moments of pleasure and joy in them. It’s about a balance—knowing the truth but still allowing yourself to enjoy the illusion. It’s not about being naive; it’s about being aware and choosing to embrace the joy nonetheless.

So next time you find pleasure in something that you know isn’t entirely real, don’t feel bad about it. Remember, it’s that very ability to enjoy the illusion while knowing the truth that makes you more complete as a human. Embrace it, celebrate it, and let it bring a bit of happiness into your life.