Compelled Quote by Denis de Rougemont
“Having fallen from the eternal, the Evil One's desires are endless, insatiable. Having fallen from pure Being, he is driven by the desire to possess, to fill his emptiness. But the problem is insoluble, always. He is compelled to have and to hold, to possess and consume, and nothing else. All he takes, he destroys.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Myth of the Eternal Return, Denis de Rougemont, 1949
The quote describes a being who, after losing its original purity, becomes driven by endless, unfulfilling desire to possess and consume, leading to destruction.
In simple terms: A fallen being seeks endless possession, causing ruin.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and break cycles of insatiable consumption.
Themes
desire
destruction
existence
emptiness
compulsion
Mood
reflective
somber
critical
Type
philosophical
warning
cautionary
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- consumer culture
- environmental exploitation
- addiction recovery
Key Concepts
philosophy
mythology
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives your own endless pursuits?
- How can you find fulfillment beyond possession?
A Different Perspective
The desire may be portrayed as inevitable, ignoring agency to change.
![“I've written a lot of other books and this book [Tears we cannot stop] was different. I couldn't just say what I wanted to say in the same style that I said it in those other books. I felt compelled to preach.” quote by Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f3e/michael-eric-dyson-1424_book_i-ve-written-a-lot-of-other-books-and-th_45441.jpg)
