--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sadly, the things that we have set out as…" description: "\"Sadly, the things that we have set out as being worth striving for are not ultimately the things that satisfy human longings. And why not? Because we a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58a/desmond-tutu-442_finite_sadly-the-things-that-we-have-set-out-as_2858206.jpg" --- # Sadly, the things that we have set out as being worth… ![“Sadly, the things that we have set out as being worth striving for are not ultimately the things that satisfy human longings. And why not? Because we are practically the ultimate paradox: the finite made for the infinite.” quote by Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58a/desmond-tutu-442_finite_sadly-the-things-that-we-have-set-out-as_2858206.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58a/desmond-tutu-442_finite_sadly-the-things-that-we-have-set-out-as_2858206.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58a/desmond-tutu-442_finite_sadly-the-things-that-we-have-set-out-as_2858206.jpg) > “Sadly, the things that we have set out as being worth striving for are not ultimately the things that satisfy human longings. And why not? Because we are practically the ultimate paradox: the finite made for the infinite.” [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human aspirations for the infinite clash with our finite nature, creating a paradox of desire and satisfaction. **In simple terms:** Finite beings crave infinite goals. Key Takeaway Seek balance between desire and contentment. Themes philosophy paradox spirituality Mood contemplative thoughtful Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - personal goal setting - spiritual practice - creative pursuits - career planning Key Concepts Existentialism theology Questions to Reflect On - How can we find fulfillment? - What limits should we set on ambition? A Different Perspective Desire can lead to endless dissatisfaction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Finite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finite/) [Finite Infinite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finite-infinite-749581/) [Human Longings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-longings-1050728/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Infinite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infinite/) [Longing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/longing/) [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [Nostalgia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nostalgia/) [Paradox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradox/) [Paradox Finite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradox-finite-3841640/) [Strive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strive/) [Ultimate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ultimate/) [Ultimate Paradox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ultimate-paradox-1351972/) [Why not](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/why-not/) ## Related quotes > [We were an extraordinary paradox. We are finite creatures made for the infinite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/we-were-an-extraordinary-paradox-we-are-finite-creatures-made-for-the/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [People sometimes strive after and think they will find deep satisfaction for their psyches in wealth, sex or drugs, but then find that ultimately…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/people-sometimes-strive-after-and-think-they-will-find-deep/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [''Life is the ultimate paradox.''](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/life-is-the-ultimate-paradox/) [Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/) > [“Unless you admit it to yourself, that you don’t know what is going on, will you experience what is going on. The ultimate paradox…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/unless-you-admit-it-to-yourself-that-you-don-t-know-what-is-going-on/) [Art Hochberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-hochberg/) > [If we have dwelled on Godel's work at some length, is it because we see it in the mathematical analogy of what we would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watzlawick/if-we-have-dwelled-on-godel-s-work-at-some-length-is-it-because-we/) [Paul Watzlawick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-watzlawick/) > [It is hard to be finite upon an infinite subject, and all subjects are infinite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/it-is-hard-to-be-finite-upon-an-infinite-subject-and-all-subjects-are/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [What I assert and believe to have demonstrated in this and earlier works is that following the finite there is a transfinite (which one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-cantor/what-i-assert-and-believe-to-have-demonstrated-in-this-and-earlier/) [Georg Cantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-cantor/) > [“For a finite being, an infinite path has no meaning!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/for-a-finite-being-an-infinite-path-has-no-meaning/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [From form to formless and from finite to infinite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/from-form-to-formless-and-from-finite-to-infinite/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [“The Being is finite and infinite. It is finite while contained within itself. When it is within itself as One, it becomes its opposite—the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dejan-stojanovic/the-being-is-finite-and-infinite-it-is-finite-while-contained-within/) [Dejan Stojanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dejan-stojanovic/) > [For man to be able to live he must either not see the infinite, or have such an explanation of the meaning of life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/for-man-to-be-able-to-live-he-must-either-not-see-the-infinite-or/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Thus it is necessary to commence from an inescapable duality: the finite is not the infinite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-urs-von-balthasar/thus-it-is-necessary-to-commence-from-an-inescapable-duality-the/) [Hans Urs von Balthasar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-urs-von-balthasar/) > [One of the greatest human longings is to be close to someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-r-fischer/one-of-the-greatest-human-longings-is-to-be-close-to-someone/) [Kathleen R Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-r-fischer/) > [“The correspondence testifies to the frailty of human longings, to the process of how something precious can turn fatal, a reality become illusion. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karina-szczurek/the-correspondence-testifies-to-the-frailty-of-human-longings-to-the/) [Karina Szczurek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karina-szczurek/) > [Human longings are perversely obstinate; and to the man whose mouth is watering for a peach, it is of no use to offer the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/human-longings-are-perversely-obstinate-and-to-the-man-whose-mouth-is/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) ## More by Desmond Tutu > [Each of us is precious to God because each of us has their name written on the palms of God's hands. And God says…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/each-of-us-is-precious-to-god-because-each-of-us-has-their-name/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [Freedom and liberty lose out by default because good people are not vigilant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/freedom-and-liberty-lose-out-by-default-because-good-people-are-not/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [We shall be free only together, black and white. We shall survive only together, black and white. We can be human only together, black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/we-shall-be-free-only-together-black-and-white-we-shall-survive-only/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [Many people would be surprised that, in fact, I'm quite shy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/many-people-would-be-surprised-that-in-fact-i-m-quite-shy/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [Too many people think that reconciliation means you soft-pedal differences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/too-many-people-think-that-reconciliation-means-you-soft-pedal/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [Our Christian faith is actually very subversive of the conventional notion of success - the notion that what invests a person with worth is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/our-christian-faith-is-actually-very-subversive-of-the-conventional/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [Every situation of justice is an occasion where someone is being humiliated and they want to restore their dignity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/every-situation-of-justice-is-an-occasion-where-someone-is-being/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [Race should not be used to claim privileges and rights for one group, exclusively, which are denied other different groups. Then that is an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/race-should-not-be-used-to-claim-privileges-and-rights-for-one-group/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [People are able to justify immense cruelty and say that it is something that is sanctioned by their faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/people-are-able-to-justify-immense-cruelty-and-say-that-it-is/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [South Africa, so utterly improbably, is a beacon of hope in a dark and troubled world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/south-africa-so-utterly-improbably-is-a-beacon-of-hope-in-a-dark-and/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [I don't often want to speak. I try to be a reasonable person and to be diplomatic, but you go to that place and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/i-don-t-often-want-to-speak-i-try-to-be-a-reasonable-person-and-to-be/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [“child of God, known by name and whose very hairs are numbered. Praise and adore God and thank him for ever and ever. Amen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/child-of-god-known-by-name-and-whose-very-hairs-are-numbered-praise/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [To remain neutral in situations of injustice is to be complicit in that injustice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/to-remain-neutral-in-situations-of-injustice-is-to-be-complicit-in/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [It's a fantastic thing that from moment to the next moment if God were to have stopped for a split second we would disintegrate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/it-s-a-fantastic-thing-that-from-moment-to-the-next-moment-if-god/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [Once lost, trust can only be regained if we are as good as our word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/once-lost-trust-can-only-be-regained-if-we-are-as-good-as-our-word/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) [Explore all 558 Desmond Tutu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) ## More Finite quotes > [There is a way in which the collective knowledge of mankind expresses itself, for the finite individual, through mere daily living . . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurens-van-der-post/there-is-a-way-in-which-the-collective-knowledge-of-mankind-expresses/) [Laurens van der Post](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurens-van-der-post/) > [Wisdom views with an indifferent eye all finite joys, all blessings born to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-more/wisdom-views-with-an-indifferent-eye-all-finite-joys-all-blessings/) [Hannah More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-more/) > [There has been a tendency through the years for reason and moderation to prevail as long as things are going tolerably well or as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-william-fulbright/there-has-been-a-tendency-through-the-years-for-reason-and-moderation/) [J. William Fulbright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-william-fulbright/) > [When I'm working in finite serials, I always think in terms of the entire book rather than the individual episode because, by far, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-ellis/when-i-m-working-in-finite-serials-i-always-think-in-terms-of-the/) [Warren Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-ellis/) > [Feeling and experiencing infinity within this finite body, living timelessness within the time span of life - this is what you are here for](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/feeling-and-experiencing-infinity-within-this-finite-body-living/) [Sri Sri Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/) > [From now on I will consider a language to be a set (finite or infinite) of sentences, each finite in length and constructed out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/from-now-on-i-will-consider-a-language-to-be-a-set-finite-or-infinite/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [He who knows his soul knows this truth: " I am beyond everything finite; I I now see that the Spirit, alone in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/he-who-knows-his-soul-knows-this-truth-i-am-beyond-everything-finite/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [Suffering is the stripping of our hope in finite things, therefore we do not put our ultimate hope in anything finite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/suffering-is-the-stripping-of-our-hope-in-finite-things-therefore-we/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [Our Heavenly Father is far more merciful, infinitely more charitable, than even the best of his servants, and the Everlasting Gospel is mightier in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/our-heavenly-father-is-far-more-merciful-infinitely-more-charitable/) [Orson F. Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-f-whitney/) > [Cryptography has generated number theory, algebraic geometry over finite fields, algebra, combinatorics and computers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-arnold/cryptography-has-generated-number-theory-algebraic-geometry-over/) [Vladimir Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-arnold/) > [All finite things reveal infinitude: The mountain with its singular bright shade Like the blue shine on freshly frozen snow, The after-light upon ice-burdened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roethke/all-finite-things-reveal-infinitude-the-mountain-with-its-singular/) [Theodore Roethke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roethke/) > [“Unless death is made a lesson for the living, the life lived is wasted. Why should life come into existence only to be destroyed?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-lewis/unless-death-is-made-a-lesson-for-the-living-the-life-lived-is-wasted/) [Joseph Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-lewis/) > [The wasting of finite resources is everyones business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/the-wasting-of-finite-resources-is-everyones-business/) [Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/) > [I'm not comfortable with categories, and I distrust most definitions. The word 'definition' is based on the word 'finite,' which would seem to indicate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/artie-shaw/i-m-not-comfortable-with-categories-and-i-distrust-most-definitions/) [Artie Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/artie-shaw/) > [The first attempt at a response: there must have been a fall, a decline, and the road to salvation can only be the return…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-urs-von-balthasar/the-first-attempt-at-a-response-there-must-have-been-a-fall-a-decline/) [Hans Urs von Balthasar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-urs-von-balthasar/) [Browse all 578 Finite quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finite/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Sadly, the things that we have set out as being worth striving for are not ultimately the things that satisfy human longings. And why not? 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