Blaise Pascal: Pensees
On DIVERSION)
If a man were happy, the less he were diverted, the happier he would be—just like the saints and God. “Yes,” you may say, “but is a not a man happy who can find delight in diversion?” No, because it comes from somewhere else, from outside him. So he is dependent, and always liable to be disturbed by a thousand and one accidents, which inevitably cause distress.
Being unable to cure death, wretchedness, and ignorance, men have decided, in order to be happy, not to think about such things.
Despite these afflictions man wants to be happy, only wants to be happy, and cannot help wanting to be happy.