Is Ataraxiaso a Paradox?

If we could achieve ataraxy, it might be rather spiritless way to live. Montaigne and pascal accept that philosophy cannot divert the human animal from its misery. They differ in their view of what misery signifies. Whereas montaigne thinks other animals are superior to humans in some ways, pascal regards human misery as a sign that humans are superior to all other animals. Man's greatness comes from knowing he is wretched. A tree does not know it is wretched. But there is greatness in knowing one is wretched. Our lives are spent running away from our own shadow. Along with elephants may recognize something like death when they will pass through time; but only Humans know this day