"Our pleasures were simple - they included survival"

The quote by Dwight D. Eisenhower highlights the extreme realities of life and how survival becomes the supreme objective, eclipsing even the basics of satisfaction or joy. The context of the quote is not evident, however it implies that the situation was most likely dire, and easy pleasures like a comfy bed, pleasing meals, or a warm fire ended up being a luxury when one is having a hard time to endure. This quote is a tip that life is not constantly easy, and the easy pleasures that we take for given become a cherished experience when things are tough. It is likewise a call to appreciate life's basic pleasures and embrace them as they come.