Desire Quote by Bernhard Schlink
““Did my moral upbrining somehow turn against itself? If looking at someone with desire was as bad as satisfying the desire, if having an active fantasy was as bad as the act you were fantasizing- then why not the satisfaction and the act itself? As the days went on, I discovered that I couldn't stop thinking sinful thoughts. In which case I also wanted the sin itself.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Reader by Bernhard Schlink, 1995
The quote explores the conflict between moral upbringing and persistent sinful thoughts, questioning why desire and its fulfillment are both judged as wrong.
In simple terms: Struggling with guilt over thoughts and actions.
Key Takeaway
Examine the roots of your guilt.
Themes
morality
desire
guilt
psychology
Mood
conflicted
introspective
Type
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- therapy
- personal reflection
- spiritual counseling
Key Concepts
cognitive dissonance
self‑control
Questions to Reflect On
- What triggers your sinful thoughts?
- Can you separate desire from moral judgment?
A Different Perspective
Guilt can persist despite rational understanding.
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
