--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the long run, our most deeply held…" description: "\"In the long run, our most deeply held desires will govern our choices, one by one and day by day, until our lives finally add up to what we have really..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/779/bruce-c-hafen-27814_add_in-the-long-run-our-most-deeply-held-des_2656672.png" --- # In the long run, our most deeply held desires will govern… ![“In the long run, our most deeply held desires will govern our choices, one by one and day by day, until our lives finally add up to what we have really wanted most--for good or otherwise. We can indeed have eternal life, if we really want it, so long as we don't want something else more.” quote by Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/779/bruce-c-hafen-27814_add_in-the-long-run-our-most-deeply-held-des_2656672.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/779/bruce-c-hafen-27814_add_in-the-long-run-our-most-deeply-held-des_2656672.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/779/bruce-c-hafen-27814_add_in-the-long-run-our-most-deeply-held-des_2656672.png) > “In the long run, our most deeply held desires will govern our choices, one by one and day by day, until our lives finally add up to what we have really wanted most--for good or otherwise. We can indeed have eternal life, if we really want it, so long as we don't want something else more.” [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Our deepest desires shape daily choices, accumulating into a life reflecting true wants, provided we prioritize them consistently. **In simple terms:** Desires guide choices, forming life’s outcome. Key Takeaway Identify and pursue your core desire. Themes purpose choice desire Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career planning - personal relationships - health habits - financial decisions Key Concepts psychology goal‑setting long‑term planning Questions to Reflect On - What is your most persistent desire? - How do you align daily actions with it? A Different Perspective Competing desires can cause conflict and indecision. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Day by day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day-by-day/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Desires](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desires/) [Eternal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternal/) [Eternal life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternal-life/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) ## Related quotes > [To allow lust (or strong desires) to govern our life is to exalt our will over God's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/to-allow-lust-or-strong-desires-to-govern-our-life-is-to-exalt-our/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [Live each day as if was your last, not in the future, not in the past. You may not get what you want, but,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/live-each-day-as-if-was-your-last-not-in-the-future-not-in-the-past/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [I really do want to act, I love acting, and I want to do it in the long run.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-courtney/i-really-do-want-to-act-i-love-acting-and-i-want-to-do-it-in-the-long/) [Joel Courtney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-courtney/) > [I'm tired of temporary relationships. I just want someone who's in it for the long run.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-tired-of-temporary-relationships-i-just-want-someone-who-s-in-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let us remember that desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. In addition, it is our actions and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallin-h-oaks/let-us-remember-that-desires-dictate-our-priorities-priorities-shape/) [Dallin H. Oaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallin-h-oaks/) > [“Give up yourself, and you will find your real self. Lose your life and you will save it. Submit to death, death of your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lweis/give-up-yourself-and-you-will-find-your-real-self-lose-your-life-and/) C.S. Lweis > [You can have everything you want as long as you don't want it badly enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yogi-berra/you-can-have-everything-you-want-as-long-as-you-don-t-want-it-badly/) [Yogi Berra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yogi-berra/) > [I do not want to be a long-term CEO.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osman-rashid/i-do-not-want-to-be-a-long-term-ceo/) [Osman Rashid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osman-rashid/) > [“You know, Molly, if you can hold in your mind what you want long enough, you shall have it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kent-allan-rees/you-know-molly-if-you-can-hold-in-your-mind-what-you-want-long-enough/) [Kent Allan Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kent-allan-rees/) > [May the two of you live in love for as long as you want, but never want for as long as you live. Above…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/may-the-two-of-you-live-in-love-for-as-long-as-you-want-but-never/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I have kids and I want to have a long life and there are certain things that are conducive to that and certain things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethan-suplee/i-have-kids-and-i-want-to-have-a-long-life-and-there-are-certain/) [Ethan Suplee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethan-suplee/) > [I want to be here for a long time, so I am going to do everything I have to do to be here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magic-johnson/i-want-to-be-here-for-a-long-time-so-i-am-going-to-do-everything-i/) [Magic Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magic-johnson/) > [The Steelers have invested in me and want me to be here long term. I want to be here long term.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-j-watt/the-steelers-have-invested-in-me-and-want-me-to-be-here-long-term-i/) [T. J. Watt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-j-watt/) > [Acting is what I want to do and as long as I believe in myself, I know that I will reach where I wish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neha-sharma/acting-is-what-i-want-to-do-and-as-long-as-i-believe-in-myself-i-know/) [Neha Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neha-sharma/) > [I want to have a long, healthy life as opposed to hanging it out there and taking these insane risks, you know?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carey-hart/i-want-to-have-a-long-healthy-life-as-opposed-to-hanging-it-out-there/) [Carey Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carey-hart/) ## More by Bruce C. Hafen > [Equal partnerships are not made in heaven-they are made on earth, one choice at a time, one conversation at a time, one threshold crossing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/equal-partnerships-are-not-made-in-heaven-they-are-made-on-earth-one/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [Marriage is by nature a covenant, Not just a private contract one may cancel at will..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/marriage-is-by-nature-a-covenant-not-just-a-private-contract-one-may/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [“…Between the poles of sin and adversity, lie such intermediate points as unwise choices and hasty judgments. In these cases, it may be unclear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/between-the-poles-of-sin-and-adversity-lie-such-intermediate-points/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [Joy is not an alternative to opposition; it is part of a compound that includes opposition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/joy-is-not-an-alternative-to-opposition-it-is-part-of-a-compound-that/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [If you have problems in your life, don’t assume there is something wrong with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/if-you-have-problems-in-your-life-don-t-assume-there-is-something/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can learn from our experience without being condemned by our experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/because-of-the-atonement-of-jesus-christ-we-can-learn-from-our/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [“Properly understood, then, the scriptures counsel us to be virtuous not because romantic love is bad, but precisely because romantic love is so good.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/properly-understood-then-the-scriptures-counsel-us-to-be-virtuous-not/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [Life is a school, a place for us to learn and grow. We, like Adam and Eve, experience 'growing pains' through the sorrow and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/life-is-a-school-a-place-for-us-to-learn-and-grow-we-like-adam-and/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [You must realize that the true desire to express affection can be motivated by things other than true love… In short, one might simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/you-must-realize-that-the-true-desire-to-express-affection-can-be/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [The great Mediator asks for our repentance not because we must ‘repay’ him in exchange for his paying our debt to justice, but because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/the-great-mediator-asks-for-our-repentance-not-because-we-must-repay/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [The deep hurt is the mirror image of the deep joy that still awaits you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/the-deep-hurt-is-the-mirror-image-of-the-deep-joy-that-still-awaits/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [Each of us will taste the bitter ashes of life, from sin and neglect to sorrow and disappointment. But the atonement of Christ can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/each-of-us-will-taste-the-bitter-ashes-of-life-from-sin-and-neglect/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [This earth is not our home. We are away at school, trying to master the lessons of "the great plan of happiness" so we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/this-earth-is-not-our-home-we-are-away-at-school-trying-to-master-the/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [The Savior desires to save us from our inadequacies as well as our sins. Inadequacy is not the same as being sinful - we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/the-savior-desires-to-save-us-from-our-inadequacies-as-well-as-our/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) > [“The Savior asks us to repent not just to repay him for paying our debt to justice, but also to induce us to undergo…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-c-hafen/the-savior-asks-us-to-repent-not-just-to-repay-him-for-paying-our/) [Bruce C. Hafen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) [Explore all 20 Bruce C. Hafen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-c-hafen/) ## More Add quotes > [Most marriages don't add two people together. 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They know that a life of aimless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-yates/life-as-we-know-it-is-fundamentally-unsatisfying-i-think-most-folks/) [Michael Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-yates/) > [Give me a platter of choice finnan haddie, freshly cooked in its bath of water and milk, add melted butter, a slice or two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-claiborne/give-me-a-platter-of-choice-finnan-haddie-freshly-cooked-in-its-bath/) [Craig Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-claiborne/) > [Writing adds up to the conscience of our times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-firrell/writing-adds-up-to-the-conscience-of-our-times/) [Martin Firrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-firrell/) > [A 'modern' man has nothing to add to modernism, if only because he has nothing to oppose it with. The well-adapted drop off the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-canetti/a-modern-man-has-nothing-to-add-to-modernism-if-only-because-he-has/) [Elias Canetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-canetti/) > [Observation and theory get on best when they are mixed together, both helping one another in the pursuit of truth. It is a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/observation-and-theory-get-on-best-when-they-are-mixed-together-both/) [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) > [I may add that we have more than once stated our willingness to conclude nonaggression pacts with the states neighboring our own!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/i-may-add-that-we-have-more-than-once-stated-our-willingness-to/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [The American Constitution declares 'All men are born equal.' The British Socialist Party add: 'All men must be kept equal'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-american-constitution-declares-all-men-are-born-equal-the-british/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [New generations of humans inherit the acquired discoveries of generations past, allowing cosmic insight to accumulate without limit. 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Once they get outside their own heads and their own communities and see themselves in a broader…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-calvin/global-is-a-unifying-bond-for-people-once-they-get-outside-their-own/) [Kathy Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-calvin/) Browse all 2,710 Add quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In the long run, our most deeply held desires will govern our choices, one by one and day by day, until our lives finally add up to what we have really wanted most--for good or otherwise. We can indeed have eternal life, if we really want it, so long as we don't want something else more.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bruce C. 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