Who said “There is only one thing that arouses animals more than pleasure, and that is pain. Under…”?

Verified

Umberto Eco. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceThe Name of the Rose (1980)

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“There is only one thing that arouses animals more than pleasure, and that is pain. Under torture you are as if under the dominion of those grasses that produce visions. Everything you have heard told, everything you have read returns to your mind, as if you were being transported, not toward heaven, but toward hell. Under torture you say not only what the inquisitor wants, but also what you imagine might please him, because a bond (this, truly, diabolical) is established between you and him.”
— Umberto Eco
VerifiedThe Name of the Rose (1980) · evidenceTorture

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: The Name of the Rose (1980).

APA

Eco, U. (n.d.). There is only one thing that arouses animals more than pleasure, and that is pain. Under torture you are as if under the dominion of those grasses that produce visions. Everything you have heard told, everything you have read returns to your mind, as if you were being transported, not toward heaven, but toward hell. Under torture you say not only what the inquisitor wants, but also what you imagine might please him, because a bond (this, truly, diabolical) is established between you and him. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/33248-there-is-only-one-thing-that-arouses-animals/

MLA

Eco, Umberto. “There is only one thing that arouses animals more than pleasure, and that is pain. Under torture you are as if under the dominion of those grasses that produce visions. Everything you have heard told, everything you have read returns to your mind, as if you were being transported, not toward heaven, but toward hell. Under torture you say not only what the inquisitor wants, but also what you imagine might please him, because a bond (this, truly, diabolical) is established between you and him.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/33248-there-is-only-one-thing-that-arouses-animals/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Eco, Umberto. “There is only one thing that arouses animals more than pleasure, and that is pain. Under torture you are as if under the dominion of those grasses that produce visions. Everything you have heard told, everything you have read returns to your mind, as if you were being transported, not toward heaven, but toward hell. Under torture you say not only what the inquisitor wants, but also what you imagine might please him, because a bond (this, truly, diabolical) is established between you and him.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/33248-there-is-only-one-thing-that-arouses-animals/.

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More quotes by Umberto Eco

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