In this world there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
The significance of a man is not in what he attains, but rather in what he longs to attain.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-American Philosopher, Poet, Sculptor
The starting point of all achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desires bring weak results, just as a small amount of fire makes a small amount of heat.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
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-British Academic, Author, Literary Scholar
Our necessities are few, but our wants are endless.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
He can feel no little wants who is in pursuit of grandeur.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
A desire to be observed, considered, esteemed, praised, beloved, and admired by his fellows is one of the earliest as well as the keenest dispositions discovered in the heart of man.
—John Adams (1735–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
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
A successful man is one who lays a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him.
—Swami Chinmayananda (1916–93) Indian Hindu Spiritual Teacher
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
You need to be right, you need to make money, you need to be successful. It’s the neediness that’s the problem. Instead, become that which attracts those things.
—David R. Hawkins (1927–2012) American Physician, Author
The desire of the lazy kill him; for his hands refuse to labor.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
No one every suddenly became depraved.
—Juvenal (c.60–c.136 CE) Roman Poet
We accomplish things by directing our desires, not by ignoring them.
—Unknown
Our necessities are few, but our wants are endless.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
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
We make ourselves rich by making our wants few.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
Where there is no power… there is never any desire to do a thing; and where there is strong desire to do a thing… the power to do it is strong.
—Wallace Wattles (1860–1911) American New Thought Author
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
It is much easier to suppress a first desire than to satisfy those that follow.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
The desire is thy prayers; and if thy desire is without ceasing, thy prayer will also be without ceasing. The continuance of your longing is the continuance of your prayer.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
The first principle of success is desire—knowing what you want. Desire is the planting of your seed.
—Robert Collier (1885–1950) American Self-Help Author
Though we seem grieved at the shortness of life in general, we are wishing every period of it at an end. The minor longs to be at age, then to be a man of business, then to make up an estate, then to arrive at honors, then to retire.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
I do want to get rich but I never want to do what there is to do to get rich.
—Gertrude Stein (1874–1946) American Writer
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
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
Plant the seed of desire in your mind and it forms a nucleus with power to attract to itself everything needed for its fulfillment.
—Robert Collier (1885–1950) American Self-Help Author
Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is.
—Vince Lombardi (1913–70) American Football Coach
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