Skip to content

It is much easier to suppress a first desire than to…

“It is much easier to suppress a first desire than to satisfy those that follow.” quote by Benjamin Franklin
Download Open image
“It is much easier to suppress a first desire than to satisfy those that follow.”

Benjamin Franklin

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Suppressing an initial impulse is easier than managing the cascade of later cravings, highlighting the difficulty of self‑control over time.

In simple terms: First desire is easy to stop; later ones harder.

Key Takeaway

Focus on long‑term discipline.

Themes

self‑control desire habit formation

Mood

reflective cautious

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

  • budgeting
  • dieting
  • addiction recovery
  • project planning

Key Concepts

psychology willpower temptation

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you handle cravings that appear after the first?
  • What strategies keep you from giving in to subsequent urges?
A Different Perspective

Later desires may be stronger than the first, making suppression harder.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Benjamin Franklin

Explore all 1,692 Benjamin Franklin quotes

More Desire quotes

Browse all 15,155 Desire quotes