There is no desire that anyone holds for any other reason…
“There is no desire that anyone holds for any other reason than that they believe they will feel better in the achievement of it. Whether it is a material object, a physical state of being, a relationship, a condition, or a circumstance - at the heart of every desire is the desire to feel good. And so, the standard of success in life is not the things or the money - the standard of success is absolutely the amount of joy you feel.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Desire is driven by the pursuit of pleasure; success should be measured by joy, not material gain.
In simple terms: We chase things to feel good; true success is joy.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize joy over possessions.
Themes
desire
success
joy
values
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- personal goals
- career decisions
- relationship choices
- financial planning
Key Concepts
hedonism
psychology
well‑being
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate lasting fulfillment from temporary pleasure?
- Can joy be a reliable guide for life choices?
A Different Perspective
Joy can be fleeting and subjective, making it an unstable metric.