--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: wanting what you could not have led to…" description: "\"wanting what you could not have led to misery and madness\" — Cassandra Clare" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c4/cassandra-clare-9_clockwork-prince_wanting-what-you-could-not-have-led-to-m_1842606.jpg" --- # wanting what you could not have led to misery and madness ![“wanting what you could not have led to misery and madness” quote by Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c4/cassandra-clare-9_clockwork-prince_wanting-what-you-could-not-have-led-to-m_1842606.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c4/cassandra-clare-9_clockwork-prince_wanting-what-you-could-not-have-led-to-m_1842606.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c4/cassandra-clare-9_clockwork-prince_wanting-what-you-could-not-have-led-to-m_1842606.jpg) > “wanting what you could not have led to misery and madness” [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Desiring the unattainable leads to suffering and instability. **In simple terms:** Unattainable desire causes misery. Key Takeaway Cultivate realistic aspirations. Themes desire misery madness Mood melancholic introspective Type literary emotional When to use this quote - relationship goals - career ambitions - personal health - creative projects Key Concepts psychology literature Questions to Reflect On - What do you crave but cannot have? - How can you find peace? A Different Perspective Suppressing desire can cause repression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clockwork prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clockwork-prince/) [Madness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/madness/) [Misery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/misery/) [Tessa gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tessa-gray/) [Will herondale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/will-herondale/) ## Related quotes > [“All these were things he could not want, because they were the things he could not have, and wanting you could not have led…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/all-these-were-things-he-could-not-want-because-they-were-the-things/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“ Tess, Tess, Tessa. Was there ever a more beautiful sound than your name? To speak it aloud makes my heart ring like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/tess-tess-tessa-was-there-ever-a-more-beautiful-sound-than-your-name/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I am not the one of us who has no heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-am-not-the-one-of-us-who-has-no-heart/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“We should go back inside," she said, in a half whisper. She did not want to go back inside. She wanted to stay here,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/we-should-go-back-inside-she-said-in-a-half-whisper-she-did-not-want/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Trains are great dirty smoky things," said Will. "You won't like it." Tessa was unmoved. "I won't know if I like it until I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/trains-are-great-dirty-smoky-things-said-will-you-won-t-like-it-tessa/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [They’re not hideous,” said Tessa. Will blinked at her. “What?” “Gideon and Gabriel,” said Tessa. “They’re really quite good-looking, not hideous at all.” “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/they-re-not-hideous-said-tessa-will-blinked-at-her-what-gideon-and/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“But all these were things he could not want, because they were things he could not have, and wanting what you could not have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/but-all-these-were-things-he-could-not-want-because-they-were-things/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Say something in Mandarin,” said Tessa, with a smile. Jem said something that sounded like a lot of breathy vowels and consonants run together,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/say-something-in-mandarin-said-tessa-with-a-smile-jem-said-something/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Your place is with me,” Jem said. “It always will be.” “What do you mean?” He flushed, the color dark against his pale skin.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/your-place-is-with-me-jem-said-it-always-will-be-what-do-you-mean-he/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Jem’s knees gave out, and he sank to the trunk at the foot of his bed, still playing. He played Will breathing the name…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/jem-s-knees-gave-out-and-he-sank-to-the-trunk-at-the-foot-of-his-bed/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [She smiled at him. “How did you know just what I’d want to see?” “How could I not?” he said. “When I think of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/she-smiled-at-him-how-did-you-know-just-what-i-d-want-to-see-how/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“He dropped his voice, so low that Tessa wasn’t sure if what he said next was real or part of the dream darkness rising…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/he-dropped-his-voice-so-low-that-tessa-wasn-t-sure-if-what-he-said/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Wo ai ni, Tessa,” he whispered. “Wo bu xiang shi qu ni.” She knew, without knowing how she knew, what the words meant. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/wo-ai-ni-tessa-he-whispered-wo-bu-xiang-shi-qu-ni-she-knew-without/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Love potions? For Will 'erondale? 'Tain't my way to turn down payment, but any man who looks like you 'as got no need of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/love-potions-for-will-erondale-tain-t-my-way-to-turn-down-payment-but/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) ## More by Cassandra Clare > [Against his own will, almost, Will felt himself understanding; he would have done anything, he thought, told any lie, taken any risk, to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/against-his-own-will-almost-will-felt-himself-understanding-he-would/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“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/) > [Clarissa," he said, "here with the vampire, I see. When things have settled a bit, we really must discuss you choice in pets..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/clarissa-he-said-here-with-the-vampire-i-see-when-things-have-settled/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Must I go bound while you go free Must I love a manwho doesn't love me Must I be born with so little art…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/must-i-go-bound-while-you-go-free-must-i-love-a-manwho-doesn-t-love/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [If you're texting Magnus to say 'I think u r kewl,' I'm going to kill you." "Who's Magnus?" Max inquired. "He's a warlock," said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/if-you-re-texting-magnus-to-say-i-think-u-r-kewl-i-m-going-to-kill/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“they all have always loved you Will Herondale, for you cannot hide what is good about yourself, however har you try.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/they-all-have-always-loved-you-will-herondale-for-you-cannot-hide/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“We work through this together, remember? No shutting me out. No epic sulks.” “I was figuring I could sulk for Idris in the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/we-work-through-this-together-remember-no-shutting-me-out-no-epic/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Lex malla, lex nulla,” said Julian with a regretful wave of his hand. It was the Blackthorn family motto: A bad law is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/lex-malla-lex-nulla-said-julian-with-a-regretful-wave-of-his-hand-it/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Maybe that was why she couldn't cry, she realized, staring dry-eyed at the ceiling. Because what was the point in crying when there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/maybe-that-was-why-she-couldn-t-cry-she-realized-staring-dry-eyed-at/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I'm memorable, its true." -Magnus, pg.229-](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-m-memorable-its-true-magnus-pg-229/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“There is more to living than not dying.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/there-is-more-to-living-than-not-dying/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Unless there was a reason for me to stay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/unless-there-was-a-reason-for-me-to-stay/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Love didn't make you weak, it made you stronger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/love-didn-t-make-you-weak-it-made-you-stronger/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“I wasn’t just worried about him; I was worried about you, too. There’s something so . . . reassuring about you. And Jace is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-wasn-t-just-worried-about-him-i-was-worried-about-you-too-there-s/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I firmly believe that you can't get a good movie without risking a bad movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-firmly-believe-that-you-can-t-get-a-good-movie-without-risking-a/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) [Explore all 4,049 Cassandra Clare quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) ## More Clockwork prince quotes > [“Like what you see?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/like-what-you-see/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Love potions? For Will 'erondale? 'Tain't my way to turn down payment, but any man who looks like you 'as got no need of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/love-potions-for-will-erondale-tain-t-my-way-to-turn-down-payment-but/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Reparations,” said Jem very suddenly, setting down the pen he was holding. Will looked at him in puzzlement. “Is this a game? We just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/reparations-said-jem-very-suddenly-setting-down-the-pen-he-was/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“But—but...” Will sputtered. “Oh, leave it,” said Jem, kicking Will, not without affection, lightly on the ankle. “She annexed my plan!” “Will,” Tessa said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/but-but-will-sputtered-oh-leave-it-said-jem-kicking-will-not-without/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Dear me," said Will, and he took another bite of his apple. "Is it because I'm better-looking than you?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/dear-me-said-will-and-he-took-another-bite-of-his-apple-is-it-because/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Will’s voice dropped. “Everyone makes mistakes, Jem.” “Yes,” said Jem. “You just make more of them than most people.” “I —” “You hurt everyone,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/will-s-voice-dropped-everyone-makes-mistakes-jem-yes-said-jem-you/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I am not the one of us who has no heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-am-not-the-one-of-us-who-has-no-heart/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [For love is as strong as death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/for-love-is-as-strong-as-death/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Change is not always accomplished peacefully, but that does not make it disadventageous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/change-is-not-always-accomplished-peacefully-but-that-does-not-make/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [When Will truly wants something,” said Jem, quietly, “when he feels something — he can break your heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/when-will-truly-wants-something-said-jem-quietly-when-he-feels/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [He carried a pipe in his left hand, and as he examined Will at his leisure, he exhaled sending a cloud of sweet-smelling, cough-induced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/he-carried-a-pipe-in-his-left-hand-and-as-he-examined-will-at-his/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Wo ai ni, Tessa,” he whispered. “Wo bu xiang shi qu ni.” She knew, without knowing how she knew, what the words meant. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/wo-ai-ni-tessa-he-whispered-wo-bu-xiang-shi-qu-ni-she-knew-without/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“All these were things he could not want, because they were the things he could not have, and wanting you could not have led…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/all-these-were-things-he-could-not-want-because-they-were-the-things/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Love potions? For Will Herondale? T’aint my way to turn down payment, but any man who looks like you has got no need of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/love-potions-for-will-herondale-t-aint-my-way-to-turn-down-payment/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Will has always been the brighter burning star, the one to catch attention — but Jem is a steady flame, unwavering and honest. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/will-has-always-been-the-brighter-burning-star-the-one-to-catch/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) [Browse all 45 Clockwork prince quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clockwork-prince/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "wanting what you could not have led to misery and madness", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Cassandra Clare" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/wanting-what-you-could-not-have-led-to-misery-and-madness/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Clockwork prince" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/wanting-what-you-could-not-have-led-to-misery-and-madness/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c4/cassandra-clare-9_clockwork-prince_wanting-what-you-could-not-have-led-to-m_1842606.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c4/cassandra-clare-9_clockwork-prince_wanting-what-you-could-not-have-led-to-m_1842606.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c4/cassandra-clare-9_clockwork-prince_wanting-what-you-could-not-have-led-to-m_1842606.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“wanting what you could not have led to misery and madness” — Cassandra Clare", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Cassandra Clare", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "wanting what you could not have...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/wanting-what-you-could-not-have-led-to-misery-and-madness/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/wanting-what-you-could-not-have-led-to-misery-and-madness/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```