As an eagle, weary after soaring in the sky, folds its wings and flies down to rest in its nest, so does the shining Self enter the state of dreamless sleep, where one is freed from all desires.
—The Upanishads Sacred Books of Hinduism
One great, difference between a wise man and a fool is, the former only wishes for what he may possibly obtain; the latter desires impossibilities.
—Democritus (c.460–c.370 BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
Through some strange and powerful principle of “mental chemistry” which she has never divulged, nature wraps up in the impulse of strong desire, “that something” which recognizes no such word as “impossible,” and accepts no such reality as failure.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
Want is a growing giant whom the coat of Have was never large enough to cover.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
If you care enough for a result, you will most certainly attain it.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
We never desire strongly, what we desire rationally.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
You can really have everything you want, if you go after it, but you will have to want it. The desire for success must be so strong within you that it is the very breath of your life—your first though when you awaken in the morning, your last thought when you go to bed at night…
—Charles E. Popplestone (1901–49) American Self-Help Book
Can anything be so elegant as to have few wants, and to serve them one’s self?
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
When your desires are strong enough you will appear to possess superhuman powers to achieve.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
In all ranks of life the human heart yearns for the beautiful; and the beautiful things that God makes are his gift to all alike.
—Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811–96) American Abolitionist, Author
There are three wants which can never be satisfied: that of the rich, who want something more; that of the sick, who want something different; and that of the traveler, who says, “Anywhere but here”.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
If things do not turn out as we wish, we should wish for them as they turn out.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
Desire for security keeps littleness little and threatens the great with smallness.”
—Unknown
Besides the pleasure derived from acquired knowledge, there lurks in the mind of man, and tinged with a shade of sadness, an unsatisfactory longing for something beyond the present-a striving toward regions yet unknown and unopened.
—Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767–1835) German Philosopher, Linguist, Statesman
I respect the man who knows distinctly what he wishes. The greater part of all mischief in the world arises from the fact that men do not sufficiently understand their own aims. They have undertaken to build a tower, and spend no more labor on the foundation than would be necessary to erect a hut.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Life is a progress from want to want, not from enjoyment to enjoyment.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
The key that unlocks energy is “Desire.” It’s also the key to a long and interesting life. If we expect to create any drive, any real force within ourselves, we have to get excited.
—Earl Nightingale (1921–89) American Motivational Speaker, Author
The desire of power in excess caused angels to fall; the desire of knowledge in excess caused man to fall; but in charity is no excess, neither can man or angels come into danger by it.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
Our necessities never equal our wants.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
There are confessable agonies, sufferings of which one can positively be proud. Of bereavement, of parting, of the sense of sin and the fear of death the poets have eloquently spoken. They command the world’s sympathy. But there are also discreditable anguishes, no less excruciating than the others, but of which the sufferer dare not, cannot speak. The anguish of thwarted desire, for example.
—Aldous Huxley (1894–1963) English Humanist, Pacifist, Essayist, Short Story Writer, Satirist
The first principle of success is desire—knowing what you want. Desire is the planting of your seed. Very few persons, comparatively, know how to Desire with sufficient intensity. They do not know what it is to feel and manifest that intense, eager, longing, craving, insistent, demanding, ravenous Desire which is akin to the persistent, insistent, ardent, overwhelming desire of the drowning man for a breath of air; of the shipwrecked or desert-lost man for a drink of water; of the famished man for bread and meat…
—Robert Collier (1885–1950) American Self-Help Author
Listen to what you know instead of what you fear.
—Richard Bach (b.1936) American Novelist, Aviator
We accomplish things by directing our desires, not by ignoring them.
—Unknown
Nothing is impossible; there are ways that lead to everything, and if we had sufficient will we should always have sufficient means. It is often merely for an excuse that we say things are impossible.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
The greatest provocations of lust are from our apparel.
—Robert Burton (1577–1640) English Scholar, Clergyman
If I discover within myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world
—C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) Irish-born British Academic, Author, Literary Scholar
Now that fate has brought me what so long I so desired, it is too late, I am too tired.
—Adela Florence Nicolson (1865–1904) English Poet
I discovered a long time ago that if I helped people get what they wanted, I would always get what I wanted and I would never have to worry.
—Tony Robbins (b.1960) American Self-Help Author, Entrepreneur
Be careful what you set your heart upon—for it will surely be yours.
—James Baldwin (1924–87) American Novelist, Social Critic
First deserve then desire.
—Common Proverb
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