five years is a very realistic amount of time though, event if I believe it and make it happen today.

I say this continual smoking must have been one cause, at least, of his peculiar disposition [that almost impious good-humor of his]; for every one knows that this earthly air, whether ashore or afloat, is terribly infected with the nameless miseries of the numberless mortals who have died exhaling it; and as in time of the cholera, some people go about with a camphorated handkerchief to their mouths; so, likewise, against all mortal tribulations, Stubb's tobacco smoke might have operated as a sort of disinfecting agent.

WTF how is this one dude so cheerful all the time? Must be drugs. Everyone know that to live is to suffer and if you're not agonizingly depressed about existing, it's probably because of drugs.