Add Quote by Ambrose Bierce
“The game of discontent has its rules, and he who disregards them cheats. It is not permitted to you to wish to add another's advantages or possessions to your own; you are permitted only to wish to be another.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Devil's Dictionary, 1906
The quote warns that trying to gain by taking others' benefits is dishonest; true desire should be to become like them, not to possess what they have.
In simple terms: Desiring others' possessions is cheating; aim to emulate them instead.
Key Takeaway
Focus on self-improvement, not appropriation.
Themes
ethics
envy
self‑growth
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- personal relationships
- resource allocation
- leadership decisions
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
comparative ambition
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to “be another” in your life?
- How can you pursue growth without envy?
A Different Perspective
It may ignore structural inequities that limit ability to emulate others.
