152. Voltaire on the Effects of External Events on a Man's Inner State

When a man has spent 3 days in the belly of a whale, he is not as well disposed as when he has been to the opera or the theatre and has dined well in excellent company. Voltaire, The World As it Is.

We can all be adversely affected by the circumstances in which we find ourselves. It is well to recognise this in other people and refrain from asking them for favours etc. whilst they are below par.