Happiness and misery, and oftentimes pleasure and pain, exist merely in
our opinion, and are no more to be accounted for than the difference of
tastes. "That which is one man's meat, is another man's poison," is a
proposition that ought to be allowed in all particulars, where the
opinion is concerned, as well as in eating and drinking. Our senses must
inform us whether a thing pleases or displeases, before we can declare
our judgment of it; and that is to any man good or evil, which his own
understanding suggests to him to be so, and not that which is agreeable
to another's fancy. And yet, as reasonable and as necessary as it is to
grant this, how apt are we to wonder at people for not liking this or
that, or how can they think so and so! This childish humour of wondering
at the different tastes and opinions of others, occasions much
uneasiness among the generality of mankind. But, if we considered things
rightly, why should we be more concerned at others differing from us in
their way of thinking upon any subject whatever, than at their liking
cheese, or mustard; one, or both of which, we may happen to dislike? In
truth, he that expects all mankind should be of his opinion, is much
more stupid and unreasonable than the Ass in the fable.