Are moral goodness and pleasure opposites? Do they fit together?

Well, some people get pleasure out of moral goodness and some people don't, but many people believe (as do I) that one of the most truly fulfilling ways to live life is to just...be good. Not necessarily "sweet," not necessarily someone who follows all the rules and never does anything wrong. The thing is to strive for wholeness--to make yourself, your relationships with others, and the world more whole. To make things what they should be. Sometimes you do have to break a lot of rules to truly appreciate them, make a lot of mistakes to truly appreciate successes.

Moral goodness and pleasure are totally compatible. Serving the good of others is pleasurable to both the giver and the receiver. I wonder if you are thinking of pleasure as being things like getting drunk, having sex outside of marriage, doing drugs, stealing from a local store, taking money out of your mom's purse, or other things of that nature? Pleasure comes from doing the work you needed to make a good grade. Pleasure comes from rising early to see the sun come up in all its glory. Pleasure comes from surprising someone by doing their chores and yours. So much of the pleasure of life is found in doing the right thing.

They can fit together, but it isn't automatic.

To experience the pleasures of moral action, start small - - - think of something or someone that you love, then:

As you inhale, focus on loving that thing or person; and

As you exhale, focus on thanking that thing or person.

Repeat about eight times.

You'll know when to stop, because a wave of bliss will occupy your brain.

This attunes you to love, starts you to regularly participating in thankfulness, rewards you for counting your blessings, and gets you ready to experience pleasure in greater moral actions.