--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Man tends always to satisfy his needs and…" description: "\"Man tends always to satisfy his needs and desires with the least possible exertion.\" — Albert J. Nock" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c7/albert-j-nock-9816_desire_man-tends-always-to-satisfy-his-needs-an_1428271.png" --- # Man tends always to satisfy his needs and desires with the… ![“Man tends always to satisfy his needs and desires with the least possible exertion.” quote by Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c7/albert-j-nock-9816_desire_man-tends-always-to-satisfy-his-needs-an_1428271.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c7/albert-j-nock-9816_desire_man-tends-always-to-satisfy-his-needs-an_1428271.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c7/albert-j-nock-9816_desire_man-tends-always-to-satisfy-his-needs-an_1428271.png) > “Man tends always to satisfy his needs and desires with the least possible exertion.” [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People prefer minimal effort to satisfy desires, often choosing the easiest path. **In simple terms:** People choose the easiest way. Key Takeaway Seek effortful solutions. Themes economics human behavior effort Mood critical analytical Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - daily decisions - policy design - resource allocation Key Concepts rational choice cost-benefit analysis Questions to Reflect On - Is the cheapest option always best? - When does effort add value? A Different Perspective Efficiency can ignore quality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Desires](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desires/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) ## Related quotes > [In Las Vegas, you confront yourself with your darkest desires, because they're all possible there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-lepage/in-las-vegas-you-confront-yourself-with-your-darkest-desires-because/) [Robert Lepage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-lepage/) > [Man tends to treat all his opinions as principles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-agar/man-tends-to-treat-all-his-opinions-as-principles/) Herbert Agar > [Man tends to increase at a greater rate than his means of subsistence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/man-tends-to-increase-at-a-greater-rate-than-his-means-of-subsistence/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) > [A man tends to over-estimate what he can do in one year...and under-estimate what he can do in five.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-wilhelm-engstrom/a-man-tends-to-over-estimate-what-he-can-do-in-one-year-and-under/) [Theodore Wilhelm Engstrom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-wilhelm-engstrom/) > [But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires: To melt and be like a running brook that sings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-if-you-love-and-must-needs-have-desires-let-these-be-your-desires-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We have our own needs and desires.Most of our desires, we are holding when considering the value of attachments or relationships.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sumesh-nair/we-have-our-own-needs-and-desires-most-of-our-desires-we-are-holding/) [Sumesh Nair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sumesh-nair/) > [But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires: To melt and be like a running brook that sings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/but-if-you-love-and-must-needs-have-desires-let-these-be-your-desires/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [I don't have much of a bucket list. I don't have a lot of needs and desires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-deluca/i-don-t-have-much-of-a-bucket-list-i-don-t-have-a-lot-of-needs-and/) [Fred DeLuca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-deluca/) > [“Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself. But if to love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires: to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/love-has-no-other-desire-but-to-fulfill-itself-but-if-to-love-and/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [“She thought she could have what she wanted; she thought she could see the world from above, as if it were a distant blue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/she-thought-she-could-have-what-she-wanted-she-thought-she-could-see/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [There are two methods, or means, and only two, whereby man's needs and desires can be satisfied. One is the production and exchange of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/there-are-two-methods-or-means-and-only-two-whereby-man-s-needs-and/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [Never forget who you are. Only you can satisfy your needs and lead your life. Never lose sight of your humanity with all it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/never-forget-who-you-are-only-you-can-satisfy-your-needs-and-lead/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [Wont buy your trust, but ill always satisfy your needs, so you won't have to go around and look for things I can provide.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thamsanqa-dlomo/wont-buy-your-trust-but-ill-always-satisfy-your-needs-so-you-won-t/) Thamsanqa Dlomo > [Weak men act to satisfy their needs, stronger men their duties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/weak-men-act-to-satisfy-their-needs-stronger-men-their-duties/) [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) > [The world says: "You have needs -- satisfy them. You have as much right as the rich and the mighty. Don't hesitate to satisfy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-world-says-you-have-needs-satisfy-them-you-have-as-much-right-as/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Albert J. Nock > [The State, on the other hand, both in its genesis and by its primary intention, is purely anti-social. It is not based on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/the-state-on-the-other-hand-both-in-its-genesis-and-by-its-primary/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [When we speak freely, let us speak plainly, for plain speech is wholesome; especially, plain speech about public affairs and public men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/when-we-speak-freely-let-us-speak-plainly-for-plain-speech-is/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [The practical reason for freedom is that freedom seems to be the only condition under which any kind of substantial moral fiber can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/the-practical-reason-for-freedom-is-that-freedom-seems-to-be-the-only/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [Like all predatory or parasitic institutions, its first instinct is that of self-preservation. All its enterprises are directed first towards preserving its own life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/like-all-predatory-or-parasitic-institutions-its-first-instinct-is/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [The simple truth is that our businessmen do not want a government that will let business alone. They want a government they can use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/the-simple-truth-is-that-our-businessmen-do-not-want-a-government/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [Above all things the mass-mind is most bitterly resentful of superiority. It will not tolerate the thought of an elite; and under a political…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/above-all-things-the-mass-mind-is-most-bitterly-resentful-of/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [By consequence I hold that no one ever did, or can do, anything for "society."... Comte invented the term altruism as an antonym for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/by-consequence-i-hold-that-no-one-ever-did-or-can-do-anything-for/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [It is certainly true that whatever a man may do or say, the most significant thing about him is what he thinks; and significant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/it-is-certainly-true-that-whatever-a-man-may-do-or-say-the-most/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [The positive testimony of history is that the State invariably had its origin in conquest and confiscation. No primitive State known to history originated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/the-positive-testimony-of-history-is-that-the-state-invariably-had/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [Instead of recognizing the State as ‘the common enemy of all well-disposed, industrious and decent men,’ the run of mankind, with rare exceptions, regards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/instead-of-recognizing-the-state-as-the-common-enemy-of-all-well-2/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [There are two methods, or means, and only two, whereby man's needs and desires can be satisfied. One is the production and exchange of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/there-are-two-methods-or-means-and-only-two-whereby-man-s-needs-and/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [Personal publicity of every kind is utterly distasteful to me, and I have made greater efforts to escape it than most people make to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/personal-publicity-of-every-kind-is-utterly-distasteful-to-me-and-i/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [It is interesting to observe that in the year 1935 the average individual's incurious attitude towards the phenomenon of the State is precisely what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/it-is-interesting-to-observe-that-in-the-year-1935-the-average/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [I am said to be difficult of acquaintance, unwilling to meet any one half way, and showing a social manner which is easy, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/i-am-said-to-be-difficult-of-acquaintance-unwilling-to-meet-any-one/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [The question of who is right and who is wrong has seemed to me always too small to be worth a moment's thought, while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/the-question-of-who-is-right-and-who-is-wrong-has-seemed-to-me-always/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) [Explore all 70 Albert J. Nock quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) ## More Desire quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) Ted Martinez > [Passion is what you need to be good, an unforgiving passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-easton/passion-is-what-you-need-to-be-good-an-unforgiving-passion/) [David Easton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-easton/) > [I want the municipality to be a helping hand to the man with a desire of sympathy, to help the fallen when it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burns/i-want-the-municipality-to-be-a-helping-hand-to-the-man-with-a-desire/) [John Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burns/) > [Ye youths and virgins, when your generous blood Has drunk the warmth of fifteen summers, now The loves invite; now to new rapture wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-armstrong/ye-youths-and-virgins-when-your-generous-blood-has-drunk-the-warmth/) [John Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-armstrong/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [“THE ESSENCE OF YOUR DESIRE IS A FEELING”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-laporte/the-essence-of-your-desire-is-a-feeling/) [Danielle LaPorte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-laporte/) > [On the brink of being satiated, desire still appears infinite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rostand/on-the-brink-of-being-satiated-desire-still-appears-infinite/) [Jean Rostand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rostand/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [He caught her, she fell, he caught her in his arms, he held her tightly unconscious of what he was doing. He held her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/he-caught-her-she-fell-he-caught-her-in-his-arms-he-held-her-tightly/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [ Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three \[great teachers\] did not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-the-arts-since-the-medium-is/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“The deepest urge in human nature is the desire to be important.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/the-deepest-urge-in-human-nature-is-the-desire-to-be-important/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [In discovering books, you became free to explore the full range of human motives, desires, secrets, and lies. All my life, people have scolded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/in-discovering-books-you-became-free-to-explore-the-full-range-of/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) > [I have never been in, nor have I had any strong particular desire to be in, what is termed a costume drama, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-freeman/i-have-never-been-in-nor-have-i-had-any-strong-particular-desire-to/) [Martin Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-freeman/) > [Now I am in the place I call this wide wide Heaven because it includes all my simplest desires but also the most humble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-sebold/now-i-am-in-the-place-i-call-this-wide-wide-heaven-because-it/) [Alice Sebold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-sebold/) > [“from THE DEVIL YOU KNOW : She wanted him too. He could see it in the rapid rise of her breasts. He could smell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emery-lee/from-the-devil-you-know-she-wanted-him-too-he-could-see-it-in-the/) [Emery Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emery-lee/) [Browse all 15,155 Desire quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Man tends always to satisfy his needs and desires with the least possible exertion.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Albert J. 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