Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
While man’s desires and aspirations stir he cannot choose but err.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Supply always comes on the heels of demand.
—Robert Collier (1885–1950) American Self-Help Author
He who desires but does not act, breeds pestilence.
—William Blake (1757–1827) English Poet, Painter, Printmaker
Dreams do come true, if we only wish hard enough, You can have anything in life if you will sacrifice everything else for it.
—J. M. Barrie (1860–1937) Scottish Novelist, Dramatist
The person who really wants to do something finds a way; the other person finds an excuse.
—Unknown
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
The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
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
If you do not develop the hunger and courage to pursue your goal, you will lose your nerve and you will give up on your dream.
—Les Brown
Listen to what you know instead of what you fear.
—Richard Bach (b.1936) American Novelist, Aviator
There is nothing capricious in nature; and the implanting of a desire indicates that its gratification is in the constitution of the creature that feels it.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
We are always striving for things forbidden, and coveting those denied us.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
Did you ever hear of a man who had striven all his life faithfully and singly toward an object, and in no measure obtained it? If a man constantly aspires, is he not elevated? Did ever a man try heroism, magnanimity, truth, sincerity, and find that there was no advantage in them-that it was a vain endeavor?
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
We do not succeed in changing things according to our desire, but gradually our desire changes.
—Marcel Proust (1871–1922) French Novelist
The keener the want the lustier the growth.
—Wendell Phillips (1811–84) American Abolitionist, Lawyer, Orator
You are what your deep driving desire is.
—The Upanishads Sacred Books of Hinduism
Bounded in his nature, infinite in his desires, man is a fallen god who has a recollection of heaven.
—Alphonse de Lamartine (1790–1869) French Poet, Politician, Historian
It is said that desire is a product of the will, but the converse is in fact true: will is a product of desire.
—Denis Diderot (1713–84) French Philosopher, Writer
It is not Justice the servant of men, but accident, hazard, Fortune-the ally of patient Time-that holds an even and scrupulous balance.
—Mario Andretti (b.1940) Italian-born American Sportsperson
All human activity is prompted by desire.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
If you don’t get everything you want, think of the things you don’t get that you don’t want.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
We never desire strongly, what we desire rationally.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
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
Some people wanted champagne and caviar when they should have had beer and hot dogs.
—Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969) American Head of State, Military Leader
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
Can anything be so elegant as to have few wants, and to serve them one’s self?
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
It is no longer enough to be lusty. One must be a sexual gourmet.
—George Will (b.1941) American Columnist, Journalist, Writer
Be careful the environment you choose for it will shape you; be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them.
—W. Clement Stone (1902–2002) American Self-help Guru, Entrepreneur
Those who really desire to attain an independence, have only set their minds upon it, and adopt the proper means, as they do in regard to any other object which they wish to accomplish, and the thing is easily done.
—P. T. Barnum (1810–91) American Businessperson, Entertainer
He can feel no little wants who is in pursuit of grandeur.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
If you desire many things, many things will seem few.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Ignore what a man desires, and you ignore the very source of his power.
—Walter Lippmann (1889–1974) American Journalist, Political Commentator, Writer
The desire of the lazy kill him; for his hands refuse to labor.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Anything you really want, you can attain, if you really go after it.
—Wayne Dyer (1940–2015) American Self-Help Author
Better return and make a net, than to go down to the stream and merely wish for fish.
—Chinese Proverb
No person can arise above his real desire. Desires are of value only when they drive us to action. Will and work must accompany desire. Then high resolve is born. Desire is the design that will spurs us into achievement.
—Indian Proverb
All through nature, you will find the same law. First the need, then the means.
—Robert Collier (1885–1950) American Self-Help Author
If you care enough for a result, you will most certainly attain it.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Those who restrain their desires, do so because theirs is weak enough to be restrained.
—William Blake (1757–1827) English Poet, Painter, Printmaker
We should aim rather at leveling down our desires than leveling up our means.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
Beware of wishing for anything in youth, because you will get it in middle age.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
O lyric Love, half angel and half bird. And all a wonder and a wild desire.
—Robert Browning (1812–89) English Poet
Something must be done when you find an opposing set of desires of this kind well to the fore in your category of strong desires. You must set in operation a process of competition, from which one must emerge a victor and the other set be defeated.
—Robert Collier (1885–1950) American Self-Help Author
When your desires are strong enough you will appear to possess superhuman powers to achieve.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
How badly do you want it?
—George E. Allen (1896–1973) American Sportsperson
Desire! That’s the one secret of every man’s career. Not education. Not being born with hidden talents. Desire.
—Bobby Unser (1934–2021) American Automobile Racer
Man is a creation of desire, not a creation of need.
—Gaston Bachelard (1884–1962) French Philosopher, Psychoanalyst, Poet