--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When others' obsessions are not ours, we…" description: "\"“When others' obsessions are not ours, we are sad for them, and we talk of how empty their lives will be if they don't achieve their empty goal: the gy..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe6/alice-w-flaherty-57946_goals_when-others-obsessions-are-not-ours-we-a_531566.jpg" --- # When others' obsessions are not ours, we are sad for them… ![“When others' obsessions are not ours, we are sad for them, and we talk of how empty their lives will be if they don't achieve their empty goal: the gymnastics prize, the firm partnership. But there is a monomania in which it is the focus, the sense of transport, that is the real pleasure.” quote by Alice W. Flaherty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe6/alice-w-flaherty-57946_goals_when-others-obsessions-are-not-ours-we-a_531566.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe6/alice-w-flaherty-57946_goals_when-others-obsessions-are-not-ours-we-a_531566.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe6/alice-w-flaherty-57946_goals_when-others-obsessions-are-not-ours-we-a_531566.jpg) > ““When others' obsessions are not ours, we are sad for them, and we talk of how empty their lives will be if they don't achieve their empty goal: the gymnastics prize, the firm partnership. But there is a monomania in which it is the focus, the sense of transport, that is the real pleasure.”” [Alice W. Flaherty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-w-flaherty/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We feel sorrow for others whose passions are shallow, but true joy comes from deep, immersive focus on a meaningful pursuit. **In simple terms:** Sadness for shallow goals; real pleasure in deep focus. Key Takeaway Seek purpose, not superficial achievements. Themes purpose focus meaning joy Mood reflective inspired Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career planning - creative projects - personal development - relationship building Key Concepts monomania transport fulfillment Questions to Reflect On - What deep focus gives you true joy? - How can you help others find meaningful pursuits? A Different Perspective Superficial goals can still provide motivation for some people. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Gymnastics Prize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gymnastics-prize-4463688/) [Monomania](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monomania/) [Monomania Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monomania-focus-4463686/) [Obsession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obsession/) [Obsessions Sad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obsessions-sad-4463685/) [Partnership Monomania](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/partnership-monomania-4463687/) ## Related quotes > [“To muse for long unwearied hours with my attention riveted to some frivolous device upon the margin, or in the typography of a book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-allan-poe/to-muse-for-long-unwearied-hours-with-my-attention-riveted-to-some/) [Edgar Allan Poe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-allan-poe/) > [There is nothing in the world so enjoyable as a thorough-going monomania...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/there-is-nothing-in-the-world-so-enjoyable-as-a-thorough-going/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [Eccentricity is developed monomania.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bayard-taylor/eccentricity-is-developed-monomania/) [Bayard Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bayard-taylor/) > [“That before living agent, now became the living instrument.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/that-before-living-agent-now-became-the-living-instrument/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Adhesion to one idea is monomania; to few, slavery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-nestell-bovee/adhesion-to-one-idea-is-monomania-to-few-slavery/) [Christian Nestell Bovee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-nestell-bovee/) > [“To sit among all those unknown things before a puzzle like that is hopeless. 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I often think it is a makeshift name--a pretty, but false name--invented to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginko/to-tell-the-truth-i-have-no-idea-what-love-is-i-often-think-it-is-a/) [Ginko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginko/) > [Aristocratic depression has this cosmic dimension to it, where it's asking these big questions about, "Why?" "What is the purpose of all this?" Neuroses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-douglas/aristocratic-depression-has-this-cosmic-dimension-to-it-where-it-s/) [Lawrence Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-douglas/) > [“Mistaking obsession for love is one of the greatest mistakes you'll every make”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karina-halle/mistaking-obsession-for-love-is-one-of-the-greatest-mistakes-you-ll/) [Karina Halle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karina-halle/) > [OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > ['Mad TV' is one of my most favorite shows of all time and is a huge part of my obsession with sketch comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-dawson/mad-tv-is-one-of-my-most-favorite-shows-of-all-time-and-is-a-huge/) [Shane Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-dawson/) ## More by Alice W. Flaherty > [“Most agree that a useful definition of creative work is that it includes a combination of novelty and value. Creativity requires novelty because tried-and-true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-w-flaherty/most-agree-that-a-useful-definition-of-creative-work-is-that-it/) [Alice W. Flaherty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-w-flaherty/) > [“What other than mental illness spurs normal people to write prolifically? The chief cause is not quite illness, but nearly: love, especially unhappy love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-w-flaherty/what-other-than-mental-illness-spurs-normal-people-to-write/) [Alice W. Flaherty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-w-flaherty/) > [“Above all, readers want useful information, whether from a road sign or an investment guide. This motive is not completely absent even in readers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-w-flaherty/above-all-readers-want-useful-information-whether-from-a-road-sign-or/) [Alice W. Flaherty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-w-flaherty/) > [“Another difference between amateur and professional writers, almost by definition, is that the latter more successfully engage their audience. It is partly a question…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-w-flaherty/another-difference-between-amateur-and-professional-writers-almost-by/) [Alice W. Flaherty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-w-flaherty/) > [“Nonetheless, writing regularly, inspiration or no, is not a bad way to eventually get into an inspired mood; the plane has to bump along…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-w-flaherty/nonetheless-writing-regularly-inspiration-or-no-is-not-a-bad-way-to/) [Alice W. Flaherty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-w-flaherty/) [Explore all 6 Alice W. Flaherty quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-w-flaherty/) ## More Goals quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Before I debuted, it was my goal to make my debut, and afterwards, I aimed at winning champion titles on television music shows, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hyuna/before-i-debuted-it-was-my-goal-to-make-my-debut-and-afterwards-i/) [Hyuna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hyuna/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/) [Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/) > [“So Jace is my actual family," Kit said. "But I can't go live with him, because him and his hot girlfriend are going off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/so-jace-is-my-actual-family-kit-said-but-i-can-t-go-live-with-him/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [The goal of spiritual practice is full recovery, and the only thing you need to recover from is a fractured sense of self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/the-goal-of-spiritual-practice-is-full-recovery-and-the-only-thing/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [Every drop of rain hits its appointed target.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/every-drop-of-rain-hits-its-appointed-target/) [John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/) > [“Achieving mental harmony is one of the greatest goals and experiences in life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kambiz-mostofizadeh/achieving-mental-harmony-is-one-of-the-greatest-goals-and-experiences/) [Kambiz Mostofizadeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kambiz-mostofizadeh/) > [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [Too many times we flitter our energy into too many goals and in the process don't achieve much. Focus is very important in life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaishali-kasture/too-many-times-we-flitter-our-energy-into-too-many-goals-and-in-the/) [Vaishali Kasture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaishali-kasture/) > [Plainly, the environment must be a living one, directed by a higher intelligence, arranged by an adult who is prepared for his mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/plainly-the-environment-must-be-a-living-one-directed-by-a-higher/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [According to the best research, less than 3% of Americans have written goals, and less than 1% review and rewrite their goals on a daily basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/according-to-the-best-research-less-than-3-of-americans-have-written/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“What shapes us is not always our achievements but our omissions. Not lies; simply the truths we don’t tell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-tudor/what-shapes-us-is-not-always-our-achievements-but-our-omissions-not/) [C.J. Tudor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-tudor/) [Browse all 21,276 Goals quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“When others' obsessions are not ours, we are sad for them, and we talk of how empty their lives will be if they don't achieve their empty goal: the gymnastics prize, the firm partnership. But there is a monomania in which it is the focus, the sense of transport, that is the real pleasure.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alice W. 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