“Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the overcompensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn’t nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand.”― Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
“To Yossarian, the idea of pennants as prizes was absurd. No money went with them, no class privileges. Like Olympic medals and tennis trophies, all they signified was that the owner had done something of no benefit to anyone more capably than everyone else.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22
I was wondering that too. Apparently it’s “The Message”, a contemporary translation by Eugene H. Peterson .
I don’t know if that version is more accurate, and it’s probably easier to understand, but I think “vanity of vanities, all is vanity” has a certain cutting, personal touch.
The pie would go on to have a starring role in a film about a killer robot driving instructor who travels back in time for some reason.