life is a fair matter of account

[ponocny]

I do not agree that an age of pleasure is no compensation for a moment of pain. I think, with you, that life is a fair matter of account, and the balance often, nay generally, in its favour.

Do you know what the words - account, balance - in the second sentnece means.

could it be in this case very roughly:

account = money or bank account
balance = account balance, how much money you have on your account

To my mind comes a lot of ideas and I can not figure what these sentences means

It is from Thomas Jefferson.

Thank you

 

[ponocny]

Thank you very much.

I was wondering if the "balance" could also mean - balance between pain and happiness, stability.

 

[ponocny]

Thank you so much. I read a very nice book from Jefferson and I want to work on my English improvement.