--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When he saw her, he wanted to be with…" description: "\"“When he saw her, he wanted to be with her; when he was with her, he ached to touch her; when he touched even her hand, he wanted to embrace her. He wa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48a/cassandra-clare-9_wanting_when-he-saw-her-he-wanted-to-be-with-her_2910626.jpg" --- # When he saw her, he wanted to be with her; when he was… ![“When he saw her, he wanted to be with her; when he was with her, he ached to touch her; when he touched even her hand, he wanted to embrace her. He wanted to feel her against him the way he had in the attic. He wanted to know the taste of her skin and the smell of her hair. He wanted to make her…” quote by Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48a/cassandra-clare-9_wanting_when-he-saw-her-he-wanted-to-be-with-her_2910626.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48a/cassandra-clare-9_wanting_when-he-saw-her-he-wanted-to-be-with-her_2910626.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48a/cassandra-clare-9_wanting_when-he-saw-her-he-wanted-to-be-with-her_2910626.jpg) > ““When he saw her, he wanted to be with her; when he was with her, he ached to touch her; when he touched even her hand, he wanted to embrace her. He wanted to feel her against him the way he had in the attic. He wanted to know the taste of her skin and the smell of her hair. He wanted to make her laugh. He wanted to sit and listen to her talk about books until his ears fell off. But all these were things he could not want, because they were things he could not have, and 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. The passage describes an obsessive longing for an unattainable lover, leading to despair and madness. **In simple terms:** Unattainable desire causes suffering. Key Takeaway Recognize and manage impossible desires. Themes desire unattainability madness love obsession Mood melancholic intense reflective Type literary emotional cautionary When to use this quote - unrequited love - obsessive relationships - creative writing - personal reflection Key Concepts psychology attachment unrequited love self‑control Questions to Reflect On - What unattainable desire fuels your frustration? - How can you redirect longing into healthy pursuits? A Different Perspective Desire can become self‑destructive if not tempered. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [He wanted to make her laugh. He wanted to sit and listen to her talk about books until his ears fell off. But all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/he-wanted-to-make-her-laugh-he-wanted-to-sit-and-listen-to-her-talk/) [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/) > [“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/) > [“When he saw her, he wanted to be with her; when he was with her, he ached to touch her; when he touched even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/when-he-saw-her-he-wanted-to-be-with-her-when-he-was-with-her-he/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [The more we desire for that which is superfluous, the more we meet with difficulties; our strength and possessions are spent in unnecessary things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maimonides/the-more-we-desire-for-that-which-is-superfluous-the-more-we-meet/) [Maimonides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maimonides/) > [All I know about getting something that you want is that there are three essential things: wanting, trying and getting the opportunity, the breaks.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greer-garson/all-i-know-about-getting-something-that-you-want-is-that-there-are/) [Greer Garson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greer-garson/) > [“His heart was now beating rapidly. He wanted to embrace her, cover her with kisses, caress her hair, touch her breast, stroke her thighs:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-m-greeley/his-heart-was-now-beating-rapidly-he-wanted-to-embrace-her-cover-her/) [Andrew M. Greeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-m-greeley/) > [“He wanted to embrace his guardian, to hold him and tell him that he would never desert him, but the action was unthinkable. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/he-wanted-to-embrace-his-guardian-to-hold-him-and-tell-him-that-he/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“No pretensions of goodness, of trying to do the right thing. We’d both wanted to embrace this fucked-up thing between us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leah-raeder/no-pretensions-of-goodness-of-trying-to-do-the-right-thing-we-d-both/) [Leah Raeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leah-raeder/) > [I will fight for you, yes, and you will fight for me. And if you have sacrificed joy and courage and beauty and wisdom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-farjeon/i-will-fight-for-you-yes-and-you-will-fight-for-me-and-if-you-have/) [Eleanor Farjeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-farjeon/) > [Not really, but after that I think about how I could kill him while he slept if I really wanted to, and then I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/not-really-but-after-that-i-think-about-how-i-could-kill-him-while-he/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [The first step to getting the things you want from life is to decide what you want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-first-step-to-getting-the-things-you-want-from-life-is-to-decide/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The things I want are wrong and broken things to want.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/the-things-i-want-are-wrong-and-broken-things-to-want/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“There are things we want, down under what we know, under even what we feel. There are things our souls want, and mine wants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/there-are-things-we-want-down-under-what-we-know-under-even-what-we/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Awe. It’s a feeling he misses. He made lists of things he wanted to feel when he was younger, big things, small things, ice,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pleasefindthis/awe-it-s-a-feeling-he-misses-he-made-lists-of-things-he-wanted-to/) pleasefindthis ## 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 Wanting quotes > [Wanting someone you cant have, isnt that the way it always works?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/wanting-someone-you-cant-have-isnt-that-the-way-it-always-works/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Growing up I did commercials and things like that, but nothing serious. As I got older, my family is really hardcore into academics. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/portia-doubleday/growing-up-i-did-commercials-and-things-like-that-but-nothing-serious/) [Portia Doubleday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/portia-doubleday/) > [My earliest memory was watching gymnastics on live TV and wanting to do what the 'big girls' did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-hernandez/my-earliest-memory-was-watching-gymnastics-on-live-tv-and-wanting-to/) [Laurie Hernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-hernandez/) > [Everybody out there watches the show and has expectations of wanting to be an 'Idol', but we're going to teach them how much hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bo-bice/everybody-out-there-watches-the-show-and-has-expectations-of-wanting/) [Bo Bice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bo-bice/) > [“Isn’t everyone on the planet or at least everyone on the planet called me stuck between the two impulses of wanting to walk away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-lacey/isn-t-everyone-on-the-planet-or-at-least-everyone-on-the-planet/) [Catherine Lacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-lacey/) > [“All our misery comes from wanting at all costs to go on being Tom, Dick, or Harry, year in, year out. This body of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-ferdinand-celine/all-our-misery-comes-from-wanting-at-all-costs-to-go-on-being-tom/) [Louis-Ferdinand Celine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-ferdinand-celine/) > [Desire makes life happen. Makes it matter. Makes everything worth it. Desire is life. Hunger to see the next sunrise or sunset, to touch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/desire-makes-life-happen-makes-it-matter-makes-everything-worth-it/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [It wasn't like, 'I'ma lose weight and start doing dramas.' I wanted to be healthier, and that was the impetus for wanting to lose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-hill/it-wasn-t-like-i-ma-lose-weight-and-start-doing-dramas-i-wanted-to-be/) [Jonah Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-hill/) > [I always tell Asian actors, especially Filipinos wanting to break into Hollywood, to study, study and study and show their best. I haven't stopped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-lee/i-always-tell-asian-actors-especially-filipinos-wanting-to-break-into/) [Reggie Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-lee/) > [We might make money and be in the careers we're in, but we don't need a bunch of stuff. We like showcasing that and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brie-bella/we-might-make-money-and-be-in-the-careers-we-re-in-but-we-don-t-need/) [Brie Bella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brie-bella/) > [Dhobi Ghat' is the only script I actually completed and that I was convinced about wanting to direct.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiran-rao/dhobi-ghat-is-the-only-script-i-actually-completed-and-that-i-was/) [Kiran Rao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiran-rao/) > [When I know things are not for me, I learn to let go. It doesn't mean I'm weak but I'm just showing how strong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-i-know-things-are-not-for-me-i-learn-to-let-go-it-doesn-t-mean-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm a rock/blues guitar player. I'm not wanting to be a pop star or anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/i-m-a-rock-blues-guitar-player-i-m-not-wanting-to-be-a-pop-star-or/) [Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/) > [Stop WHINING about wanting a man, and just maybe you won't end up alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-whining-about-wanting-a-man-and-just-maybe-you-won-t-end-up-alone/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [At first, I was stubborn about not wanting to become a city boy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-cain/at-first-i-was-stubborn-about-not-wanting-to-become-a-city-boy/) [Matt Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-cain/) Browse all 1,544 Wanting quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“When he saw her, he wanted to be with her; when he was with her, he ached to touch her; when he touched even her hand, he wanted to embrace her. 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