How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
It is not good to feel too much joy nor to be glad that our body lives. For we matter not and it must not matter to us whether we live or die, which is to be as our brothers will it. But we, Equality 7-2521, are glad to be living. If this is a vice, then we wish no virtue. (2.45)
Ah, here's a little more on the confusing matter of how Equality 7-2521's society thinks about happiness. It's not good to be too happy as an individual, because one isn't supposed to value one's own life – one should be willing to give it up any moment for the sake of the Collective 0-0009. In particular, one isn't supposed to take pleasure in one's own body (which is the most complete possession one has as an individual). But again, if no individual is supposed to be happy, why should society care about human happiness at all?
Quote #8
And if this should lighten the toil of men," said Similarity 5-0306, "then it is a great evil, for men have no cause to exist save in toiling for other men." (7.43)
Here a member of the Council of Scholars explicitly rejects the idea of making life easier for the community as a whole. Apparently, he thinks a harder life is better, because it makes toil more necessary, and toil is the only purpose of life. But if one doesn't work to "improve the lot of mankind," what's the point of working?
Quote #9
And we heard suddenly that we were laughing, laughing aloud, laughing as if there were no power left in us save laughter. (8.3)
Now that Equality 7-2521 is alone and in the woods, he's finally free from society's control. And freedom makes him ridiculously happy. He's just fallen from a tree branch and he can't stop laughing!