Do not use drugs
The main purpose of the book "Artificial Paradise" was to try and convince the reader that consuming drugs was not worth it and that a person should try and live a clean and healthy life. This argument is however ironic because the author was an avid drug user all his life and his death was eventually caused by his drug abuse.
Any art created after consuming drugs is worthless
In "The Poem of Hashish" the narrator does not shy away from claiming that all literature and art which was the result of a drug-induced haze is worthless and should be ignored by history. Ironically, however, later in the same section, the narrator lists all the literary pieces he produces while being under the influence of various drugs and claims that those were his best works.
Drugs make you dumb
One of the main arguments given by the author on why a person should not consume drugs is that it makes a person less intelligent or dim-witted. Losing one's mental capacities is seen as the most tragic thing which can happen to a person and because of this, the author urges his readers to do anything they can to protect themselves. Ironically, however, as Baudelaire himself points out, the most brilliant minds of the world used drugs, and this drug abuse not only did it helped them with the creative process, but is what ultimately made them great and outstanding.
Technology is evil unless it serves a purpose
In his writings, Baudelaire expresses an affinity and love for nature and everything that is untouched by humanity. He often criticizes the technology which destroyed the natural world and praises everything that is natural. Because of this, it is ironic to see that in the book analyzed here, the narrator not only accepts the technological advancements present during his time but also praises them for bettering the lives of the normal citizen.
You should have let me fail
Baudelaire had troubles managing his finances and this often left him with great debts and without any money to spend on food and the bare necessities. In the book, Baudelaire talks about his problems and about the help his parents gave him. Ironically however, instead of appreciating the help he received, he criticized it and claimed that if he were to be left alone, he would have never sunk into poverty.
