] JA describes him finding pleasure in life through his reading and solitude in his library and delighting in silliness wherever he sees it - even in his wife and three younger daughters. JA implies, I think, that the alternative would have been for him to have taken a mistress. So he deserves some credit for not doing that.

He could be worse, but taking a mistress is not his only alternative. Another alternative would be for him to live up to his responsibilities to his family.

] I see him as withdrawing from harsh reality by refusing to take anything or anyone seriously.