--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What unites all beings is their desire…" description: "\"What unites all beings is their desire for happiness.\" — Dalai Lama" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92f/dalai-lama-89_desire_what-unites-all-beings-is-their-desire-f_892921.jpg" --- # What unites all beings is their desire for happiness. ![“What unites all beings is their desire for happiness.” quote by Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92f/dalai-lama-89_desire_what-unites-all-beings-is-their-desire-f_892921.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92f/dalai-lama-89_desire_what-unites-all-beings-is-their-desire-f_892921.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92f/dalai-lama-89_desire_what-unites-all-beings-is-their-desire-f_892921.jpg) > “What unites all beings is their desire for happiness.” [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. All beings share the fundamental pursuit of happiness, uniting humanity across differences. **In simple terms:** Everyone seeks happiness. Key Takeaway Cultivate compassion to foster shared happiness. Themes happiness humanity compassion unity Mood reflective hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal relationships - community building - mental health initiatives Key Concepts well‑being ethical living Questions to Reflect On - What actions can you take to increase collective happiness? - How does compassion influence personal joy? A Different Perspective Happiness can be elusive without addressing systemic issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Beings Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beings-desire-1166497/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Desire Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire-happiness-440157/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Unites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unites/) [Unites Beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unites-beings-1166496/) ## Related quotes > [The web of life, love, suffering and death unites all beings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-grey/the-web-of-life-love-suffering-and-death-unites-all-beings/) [Alex Grey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-grey/) > [The rationale for loving others is the recognition of the simple fact that every living being has the same right to and the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/the-rationale-for-loving-others-is-the-recognition-of-the-simple-fact/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [“All beings desire pleasure, a surcease of need or want, and there is no shame in that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherri-l-king/all-beings-desire-pleasure-a-surcease-of-need-or-want-and-there-is-no/) [Sherri L. King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherri-l-king/) > [Since beings desire to exist, because to exist is a good thing: they desire the One without which they cannot exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-of-cusa/since-beings-desire-to-exist-because-to-exist-is-a-good-thing-they/) [Nicholas of Cusa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-of-cusa/) > [Human beings desire comfort and familiarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vic-mensa/human-beings-desire-comfort-and-familiarity/) [Vic Mensa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vic-mensa/) > [The deepest hunger in human beings is the desire to be appreciated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/the-deepest-hunger-in-human-beings-is-the-desire-to-be-appreciated/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [Desire is happiness: satisfaction as happiness is merely the ultimate moment of desire. To be wish and wish alone is happiness, and a new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/desire-is-happiness-satisfaction-as-happiness-is-merely-the-ultimate/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Desire and happiness cannot live together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/desire-and-happiness-cannot-live-together/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Experiment with this a little. During these days that you are here with me, don't nourish any desire for happiness, and then see how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/experiment-with-this-a-little-during-these-days-that-you-are-here/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [If you truly desire happiness, seek and learn how to serve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/if-you-truly-desire-happiness-seek-and-learn-how-to-serve/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [“I feel both sexes desire happiness and companionship above all. Not everybody feels this way, but a great majority of people do. Some will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camie-l-vincent/i-feel-both-sexes-desire-happiness-and-companionship-above-all-not/) [Camie L. Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camie-l-vincent/) > [Every man hath a general desire of his own happiness; and likewise a variety of particular affections, passions, and appetites to particular external objects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-butler/every-man-hath-a-general-desire-of-his-own-happiness-and-likewise-a/) [Joseph Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-butler/) > [Each thing tends to move towards its own nature. I always desire happiness which is my true nature. My nature is never a burden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adi-shankara/each-thing-tends-to-move-towards-its-own-nature-i-always-desire/) [Adi Shankara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adi-shankara/) > [Could it be that to truly love a thing is not to desire it, but to desire happiness for it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/could-it-be-that-to-truly-love-a-thing-is-not-to-desire-it-but-to/) [Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/) > [Every human being was wired with the desire for happiness. And we will try different things all in the pursuit of that feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-franklin/every-human-being-was-wired-with-the-desire-for-happiness-and-we-will/) [Kirk Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-franklin/) ## More by Dalai Lama > [Although under particular circumstances, the violence method - any method - can be justified, nevertheless once you commit violence, then counterviolence will be returned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/although-under-particular-circumstances-the-violence-method-any/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [In the interests of everyone the artist had a responsibility to use his medium well. In the Tibetan culture, most of the paintings are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/in-the-interests-of-everyone-the-artist-had-a-responsibility-to-use/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [If the mind is dominated by hatred, the best part of the brain, which is used to judge right and wrong, does not function…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/if-the-mind-is-dominated-by-hatred-the-best-part-of-the-brain-which/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [More compassionate mind, more sense of concern for other's well-being, is source of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/more-compassionate-mind-more-sense-of-concern-for-other-s-well-being/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Everybody loves to talk about calmness and peace, whether in a family, national, or international context, but without inner peace how can we make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/everybody-loves-to-talk-about-calmness-and-peace-whether-in-a-family/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [The only "definitive truth" for Buddhism is the absolute negation of any one truth as the Definitive Truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/the-only-definitive-truth-for-buddhism-is-the-absolute-negation-of/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [We can change society, change humanity by changing ourselves as individuals. By cultivating inner values, we can change our own lives and those of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-can-change-society-change-humanity-by-changing-ourselves-as/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [I don't want to convert people to Buddhism — all major religions, when understood properly, have the same potential for good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-don-t-want-to-convert-people-to-buddhism-all-major-religions-when/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [There is no way to escape death, it is just like trying to escape by four great mountains touching sky. There is no escape…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-is-no-way-to-escape-death-it-is-just-like-trying-to-escape-by/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [We live within the environment. So that directly relates with our survival, our life. So through that way, more concern of well being of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-live-within-the-environment-so-that-directly-relates-with-our/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [My belief is that the various religious traditions have great potential to increase compassion, the sense of caring for one another, and the spirit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/my-belief-is-that-the-various-religious-traditions-have-great/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [When we think carefully, we see that the brief elation we experience when appeasing sensual impulses may not be very different from what the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/when-we-think-carefully-we-see-that-the-brief-elation-we-experience/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [“So let us reflect on what is truly of value in life, what gives meaning to our lives, and set our priorities on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/so-let-us-reflect-on-what-is-truly-of-value-in-life-what-gives/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [I am the source of my own suffering, because of the habits of my mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-am-the-source-of-my-own-suffering-because-of-the-habits-of-my-mind/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) [Explore all 1,406 Dalai Lama quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) ## More Desire quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) [Ted Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-martinez/) > [Passion is what you need to be good, an unforgiving passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-easton/passion-is-what-you-need-to-be-good-an-unforgiving-passion/) [David Easton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-easton/) > [I want the municipality to be a helping hand to the man with a desire of sympathy, to help the fallen when it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burns/i-want-the-municipality-to-be-a-helping-hand-to-the-man-with-a-desire/) [John Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burns/) > [Ye youths and virgins, when your generous blood Has drunk the warmth of fifteen summers, now The loves invite; now to new rapture wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-armstrong/ye-youths-and-virgins-when-your-generous-blood-has-drunk-the-warmth/) [John Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-armstrong/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [“THE ESSENCE OF YOUR DESIRE IS A FEELING”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-laporte/the-essence-of-your-desire-is-a-feeling/) [Danielle LaPorte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-laporte/) > [On the brink of being satiated, desire still appears infinite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rostand/on-the-brink-of-being-satiated-desire-still-appears-infinite/) [Jean Rostand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rostand/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [He caught her, she fell, he caught her in his arms, he held her tightly unconscious of what he was doing. He held her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/he-caught-her-she-fell-he-caught-her-in-his-arms-he-held-her-tightly/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [ Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three \[great teachers\] did not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-the-arts-since-the-medium-is/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“The deepest urge in human nature is the desire to be important.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/the-deepest-urge-in-human-nature-is-the-desire-to-be-important/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [In discovering books, you became free to explore the full range of human motives, desires, secrets, and lies. All my life, people have scolded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/in-discovering-books-you-became-free-to-explore-the-full-range-of/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) > [I have never been in, nor have I had any strong particular desire to be in, what is termed a costume drama, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-freeman/i-have-never-been-in-nor-have-i-had-any-strong-particular-desire-to/) [Martin Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-freeman/) > [Now I am in the place I call this wide wide Heaven because it includes all my simplest desires but also the most humble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-sebold/now-i-am-in-the-place-i-call-this-wide-wide-heaven-because-it/) [Alice Sebold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-sebold/) > [“from THE DEVIL YOU KNOW : She wanted him too. He could see it in the rapid rise of her breasts. He could smell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emery-lee/from-the-devil-you-know-she-wanted-him-too-he-could-see-it-in-the/) [Emery Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emery-lee/) [Browse all 15,155 Desire quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What unites all beings is their desire for happiness.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dalai Lama" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/what-unites-all-beings-is-their-desire-for-happiness/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Desire" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/what-unites-all-beings-is-their-desire-for-happiness/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92f/dalai-lama-89_desire_what-unites-all-beings-is-their-desire-f_892921.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92f/dalai-lama-89_desire_what-unites-all-beings-is-their-desire-f_892921.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92f/dalai-lama-89_desire_what-unites-all-beings-is-their-desire-f_892921.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What unites all beings is their desire for happiness.” — Dalai Lama", "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": "Dalai Lama", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What unites all beings is their...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/what-unites-all-beings-is-their-desire-for-happiness/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/what-unites-all-beings-is-their-desire-for-happiness/#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 } } ] } ```