How to be an Invalid: A Loafer's Guide

[page_one]

After some minor surgery on Friday which was very necessary but completely unpleasant, I find myself confined to the house. Now, there’s a big difference between being sick and being in pain. Being sick is awful. You can’t do anything and life isn’t worth living. But a little (or even a lot) of pain can be excellent for the constitution. On surgeon

Comments

[zcatcurious]

In my experience, pain has great advantages. First, it is excellent at destroying illusions: when your brain is filled with nothing but raw agony, you lack the mental capacity to lie to yourself. Second, it affects your subjective response to suffering: the greater pain you have experienced, the less painful other things seem in comparison.

Pain is good: not enjoyable, but profitable.

[page_one]

Indeed it is profitable. (But I must admit, I'm not in "raw agony" at the moment. I may be overplaying this... just a tad.)

[zcatcurious]

Do not worry; you had not suggested that you were, but it is the greater levels which are more useful, unfortunately. Hitting even the 8 on the Pain Scale is pretty ridiculous, and not recommended if one wants to remain within spitting distance of sanity.

[page_one]

I hope never to have to test my fortitude under an 8 - I don't think I'd be quite so sanguine!