Every time I look at you I get a fierce desire to be lonesome.
—Oscar Levant (1906–72) American Musician, Composer, Author, Comedian, Actor
It is a miserable state of mind to have few things to desire and many things to fear.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
Be careful what you set your heart upon—for it will surely be yours.
—James Baldwin (1924–87) American Novelist, Social Critic
The person who really wants to do something finds a way; the other person finds an excuse.
—Unknown
There are no better masters than poverty and wants.
—Dutch Proverb
Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s the determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to attain the success you seek.
—Mario Andretti (b.1940) Italian-born American Sportsperson
I can teach anybody how to get what they want out of life. The problem is that I can’t find anybody who can tell me what they want.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire.
—James Montgomery (1771–1854) Scottish Poet, Journalist, Hymnist
While man’s desires and aspirations stir he cannot choose but err.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Everything is perfect in the universe—even your desire to improve it.
—Wayne Dyer (1940–2015) American Self-Help Author
It is not from nature, but from education and habits, that our wants are chiefly derived.
—Henry Fielding (1707–54) English Novelist, Dramatist
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 fewer our wants the more we resemble the Gods.
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
Man is a creation of desire, not a creation of need.
—Gaston Bachelard (1884–1962) French Philosopher, Psychoanalyst, Poet
I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
He who desires but does not act, breeds pestilence.
—William Blake (1757–1827) English Poet, Painter, Printmaker
If you were to fault yourself in one of three areas, which would it be: (1) the inability to prioritize; (2) the inability or desire to organize around those priorities; or (3) the lack of discipline to execute around them? … Most people say their main fault is a lack of discipline. On deeper thought, I believe that is not the case. The basic problem is that their priorities have not become deeply planted in their hearts and minds. They haven’t really internalized Habit 2 [Begin with the end in mind].
—Stephen Covey (1932–2012) American Self-help Author
Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is.
—Vince Lombardi (1913–70) American Football Coach
I recognize thart even you, yourself, will change. Your ideals will change, your tastes will change, your desires will change. Your whole understandings of who you are had better change, because if it doesn’t change, you’ve become a very static personality over a great many years, and nothing would displease me more. And so I recognize that the process of evolution will produce changes in you.
—Neale Donald Walsch (b.1943) American Spiritual Writer
Before we passionately desire anything which another enjoys, we should examine as to the happiness of its possessor.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
First the stalk—then the roots. First the need—then the means to satisfy that need. First the nucleus—then the elements needed for its growth.
—Robert Collier (1885–1950) American Self-Help Author
Loosen the bonds of avarice from your hands and neck.
—Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi (1207–73) Persian Muslim Mystic
Slaves lose everything in their chains, even the desire of escaping from them.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–78) Swiss-born French Philosopher
Unbridled gratification produces unbridled desire.
—Common Proverb
If we go down into ourselves, we find that we possess exactly what we desire.
—Simone Weil (1909–1943) French Philosopher, Political Activist
Desire is the presentiment of our inner abilities, and the forerunner of our ultimate accomplishments.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Our necessities are few, but our wants are endless.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
O lyric Love, half angel and half bird. And all a wonder and a wild desire.
—Robert Browning (1812–89) English Poet
It is the soul’s duty to be loyal to its own desires. It must abandon itself to its master passion.
—Rebecca West (1892–1983) English Author, Journalist, Literary Critic
Desire is possibility seeking expression.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
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