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Quotes about Desire

A human being has a natural desire to have more of a good thing than he needs.
- Mark Twain, US humorist, novelist, short story author, & wit (1835 - 1910)

Those who restrain desire, do so because theirs is weak enough to be restrained.
- William Blake, English engraver, illustrator, & poet (1757 - 1827)

It is the nature of desire not to be satisfied, and most men live only for the gratification of it.
- Aristotle, Greek critic, philosopher, physicist, & zoologist (384 BC - 322 BC)

Again, men in general desire the good, and not merely what their fathers had.
- Aristotle, Greek critic, philosopher, physicist, & zoologist (384 BC - 322 BC)

I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who overcomes his enemies.
- Aristotle, Greek critic, philosopher, physicist, & zoologist (384 BC - 322 BC)

Life ought to be a struggle of desire toward adventures whose nobility will fertilize the soul.
- Rebecca West, Irish critic, journalist, & novelist (1892 - 1983)

In men of the highest character and noblest genius there is to be found an insatiable desire for honour, command, power, and glory.
- Cicero, Roman author, orator, & politician (106 BC - 43 BC)

Let your desires be ruled by reason. (Appetitus Rationi Pareat)
- Cicero, Roman author, orator, & politician (106 BC - 43 BC)

Every man has business and desire, Such as it is.
- William Shakespeare, Greatest English dramatist & poet (1564 - 1616)

We desire nothing so much as what we ought not to have.
- Publilius Syrus, (~100 BC)

Man is the only animal whose desires increase as they are fed; the only animal that is never satisfied.
- Henry George, US economist (1839 - 1897)

Desire creates the power.
- Raymond Holliwell

There is no calamity greater than lavish desires.There is no greater guilt than discontentment.And there is no greater disaster than greed.
- Lao-tzu, Chinese philosopher (604 BC - 531 BC)

If you greatly desire something, have the guts to stake everything on obtaining it.
- Brendan Francis

Some prices are just too high, no matter how much you may want the prize. The one thing you can't trade for your heart's desire is your heart.
- Lois McMaster Bujold, US science fiction author

He who desires is always poor.
- Claudianus

CP The wise man will love; all others will desire.
- Afranius

CP Man is an animal which, alone among the animals, refuses to be satisfied by the fulfilment of animal desires.
- Alexander Graham Bell, US (Scottish-born) inventor (1847 - 1922)

CP One must not lose desires. They are mighty stimulants to creativeness, to love, and to long life.
- Alexander A. Bogomoletz