Aspects of life Quote by Dorothee Soelle
““The desire to possess is marked by an unceasingly growing, voracious element that manifests itself in the simple desire to have more, but also in the growing dependency on consumerist habits that people do not want to give up. The ego loses its benign distance from things to be used and is ruled by the urge to possess them. This rapidly infects other aspects of life. Like objects that one wants to have available, partners, relatives, and friends come to he seen as having to he possessed.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Ethics of the Everyday, Dorothee Soelle, 1995
The quote warns that unchecked desire to own leads to a consuming ego that treats relationships and possessions as objects, eroding healthy boundaries and fostering dependency.
In simple terms: Wanting more can turn people and things into objects to control.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and limit possessive impulses.
Themes
consumerism
ego
relationships
boundaries
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal finance
- family dynamics
- friendship
- workplace culture
Key Concepts
materialism
attachment
dependency
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate healthy desire from possessiveness?
- What habits can reduce dependency on material goods?
A Different Perspective
Possession can also stem from cultural pressures, not just personal ego.
