Tom said to himself that it was not such a hollow world…
“Tom said to himself that it was not such a hollow world, after all. He had discovered a great law of human action, without knowing it -- namely, that in order to make a man or a boy covet a thing, it is only necessary to make the thing difficult to attain.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People desire things more when they are hard to get, a principle of human motivation.
In simple terms: Harder things become more wanted.
Key Takeaway
Create scarcity to increase desire.
Themes
desire
motivation
scarcity
human nature
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
observational
insightful
When to use this quote
- marketing
- relationship building
- personal goal setting
- education
- leadership
Key Concepts
psychology
behavioral economics
incentives
Questions to Reflect On
- What can you make more appealing by adding challenge?
- When does difficulty backfire?
A Different Perspective
If the difficulty is too great, it can deter rather than attract.