--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The origin of sorrow is this: to wish for…" description: "\"The origin of sorrow is this: to wish for something that does not come to pass.\" — Epictetus" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/285/epictetus-413_cognitive-behavioral_the-origin-of-sorrow-is-this-to-wish-for_2547123.jpg" --- # The origin of sorrow is this: to wish for something that… ![“The origin of sorrow is this: to wish for something that does not come to pass.” quote by Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/285/epictetus-413_cognitive-behavioral_the-origin-of-sorrow-is-this-to-wish-for_2547123.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/285/epictetus-413_cognitive-behavioral_the-origin-of-sorrow-is-this-to-wish-for_2547123.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/285/epictetus-413_cognitive-behavioral_the-origin-of-sorrow-is-this-to-wish-for_2547123.jpg) > “The origin of sorrow is this: to wish for something that does not come to pass.” [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Sorrow stems from desiring outcomes that never materialize, leading to disappointment. **In simple terms:** Wanting the impossible causes pain. Key Takeaway Focus on what you can control. Themes desire acceptance pain control Mood thoughtful determined Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - goal setting - relationship expectations - career planning - health goals Key Concepts Stoicism expectation management mental resilience Questions to Reflect On - What desires are unattainable yet drive you? - How can you reframe unmet wishes? A Different Perspective Unrealistic wishes may still motivate change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cognitive behavioral therapy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Grief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grief/) [Origin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/origin/) [Origin Sorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/origin-sorrow-1485150/) [Sorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorrow/) [Sorrow Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorrow-wish-465010/) [Therapy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/therapy/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [In your time of trouble, I wish that I could be the one that you'd call at night. 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You wish they could carry away the refuse that's long been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-jones/the-first-fallen-leaves-of-the-season-skitter-like-vermin-across-the/) [Kirk Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-jones/) > [Tragedy is in the eye of the observer, and not in the heart of the sufferer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/tragedy-is-in-the-eye-of-the-observer-and-not-in-the-heart-of-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [We must take care of our minds because we cannot benefit from beauty when our brains are missing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/we-must-take-care-of-our-minds-because-we-cannot-benefit-from-beauty/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [We should pledge ourselves to the proposition that the irresponsible life is not worth living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-szasz/we-should-pledge-ourselves-to-the-proposition-that-the-irresponsible/) [Thomas Szasz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-szasz/) > [The present non-aristotelian system is based on fundamental negative premises; namely, the complete denial of 'identity.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-korzybski/the-present-non-aristotelian-system-is-based-on-fundamental-negative/) [Alfred Korzybski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-korzybski/) > [Our contention is not that medication alone is the answer. We really need to have it in conjunction with cognitive behavioral therapy and with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-j-kennedy/our-contention-is-not-that-medication-alone-is-the-answer-we-really/) [Patrick J. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-j-kennedy/) > [Because of my bipolar disorder, I tend to these mixed states, which are depressed but loud and agitated. So I can be terribly irritable.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayelet-waldman/because-of-my-bipolar-disorder-i-tend-to-these-mixed-states-which-are/) [Ayelet Waldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayelet-waldman/) > [He who neglects what is done for what ought to be done, sooner effects his ruin than his preservation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/he-who-neglects-what-is-done-for-what-ought-to-be-done-sooner-effects/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Thoughts are mightier than strength of hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/thoughts-are-mightier-than-strength-of-hand/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [Man is more powerful than matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-disraeli/man-is-more-powerful-than-matter/) [Benjamin Disraeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-disraeli/) > [Man is the artificer of his own happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/man-is-the-artificer-of-his-own-happiness/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Don't ask why the patient is the way he is, ask for what he would change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-h-erickson/don-t-ask-why-the-patient-is-the-way-he-is-ask-for-what-he-would/) [Milton H. Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-h-erickson/) > [The relish of good and evil depends in a great measure upon the opinion we have of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/the-relish-of-good-and-evil-depends-in-a-great-measure-upon-the/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [You mainly feel the way you think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ellis/you-mainly-feel-the-way-you-think/) [Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) ## More by Epictetus > [“We are at the mercy of whoever wields authority over the things we either desire or detest. If you would be free, then, do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/we-are-at-the-mercy-of-whoever-wields-authority-over-the-things-we/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Practice yourself, for heaven's sake in little things, and then proceed to greater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/practice-yourself-for-heaven-s-sake-in-little-things-and-then-proceed/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Do not laugh much or often or unrestrainedly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/do-not-laugh-much-or-often-or-unrestrainedly/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [When men are unhappy, they do not imagine they can ever cease to be so; and when some calamity has fallen on them, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/when-men-are-unhappy-they-do-not-imagine-they-can-ever-cease-to-be-so/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [We are not disturbed by what happens to us, but by our thoughts about what happens to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/we-are-not-disturbed-by-what-happens-to-us-but-by-our-thoughts-about/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Don't be prideful with any excellence that is not your own](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/don-t-be-prideful-with-any-excellence-that-is-not-your-own/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [You know yourself what you are worth in your own eyes; and at what price you will sell yourself. 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Wish to be considered to know nothing; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/if-you-would-improve-submit-to-be-considered-wihout-sense-and-foolish/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [“For it is not death or pain that is to be feared, but the fear of pain or death.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/for-it-is-not-death-or-pain-that-is-to-be-feared-but-the-fear-of-pain/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [What else can I do, a lame old man, but sing hymns to God? If I were a nightingale, I would do the nightingale's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/what-else-can-i-do-a-lame-old-man-but-sing-hymns-to-god-if-i-were-a/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [People are disturbed not by things, but by the view they take of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/people-are-disturbed-not-by-things-but-by-the-view-they-take-of-them-2/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [“Small-minded people blame others. Average people blame themselves. The wise see all blame as foolishness”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/small-minded-people-blame-others-average-people-blame-themselves-the/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/all-philosophy-lies-in-two-words-sustain-and-abstain/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) [Explore all 577 Epictetus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) ## More Cognitive behavioral therapy quotes > [Tragedy is in the eye of the observer, and not in the heart of the sufferer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/tragedy-is-in-the-eye-of-the-observer-and-not-in-the-heart-of-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [He who neglects what is done for what ought to be done, sooner effects his ruin than his preservation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/he-who-neglects-what-is-done-for-what-ought-to-be-done-sooner-effects/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Because of my bipolar disorder, I tend to these mixed states, which are depressed but loud and agitated. So I can be terribly irritable.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayelet-waldman/because-of-my-bipolar-disorder-i-tend-to-these-mixed-states-which-are/) [Ayelet Waldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayelet-waldman/) > [Our contention is not that medication alone is the answer. We really need to have it in conjunction with cognitive behavioral therapy and with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-j-kennedy/our-contention-is-not-that-medication-alone-is-the-answer-we-really/) [Patrick J. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-j-kennedy/) > [Thoughts are mightier than strength of hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/thoughts-are-mightier-than-strength-of-hand/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [The present non-aristotelian system is based on fundamental negative premises; namely, the complete denial of 'identity.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-korzybski/the-present-non-aristotelian-system-is-based-on-fundamental-negative/) [Alfred Korzybski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-korzybski/) > [We should pledge ourselves to the proposition that the irresponsible life is not worth living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-szasz/we-should-pledge-ourselves-to-the-proposition-that-the-irresponsible/) [Thomas Szasz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-szasz/) > [We must take care of our minds because we cannot benefit from beauty when our brains are missing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/we-must-take-care-of-our-minds-because-we-cannot-benefit-from-beauty/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [Man is more powerful than matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-disraeli/man-is-more-powerful-than-matter/) [Benjamin Disraeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-disraeli/) > [Man is the artificer of his own happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/man-is-the-artificer-of-his-own-happiness/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Don't ask why the patient is the way he is, ask for what he would change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-h-erickson/don-t-ask-why-the-patient-is-the-way-he-is-ask-for-what-he-would/) [Milton H. Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-h-erickson/) > [The relish of good and evil depends in a great measure upon the opinion we have of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/the-relish-of-good-and-evil-depends-in-a-great-measure-upon-the/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [You mainly feel the way you think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ellis/you-mainly-feel-the-way-you-think/) [Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) > [ “Historically in the literature CBT \[Cognitive Behavioral Therapy\] was inappropriately touted as a cure for patients with ME/CFS if they changed their “belief system”.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-c-bested/historically-in-the-literature-cbt-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-was/) [Alison C. Bested](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-c-bested/) > [There are a variety of techniques to help people change the kind of thinking that leads them to become depressed. These techniques are called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irving-kirsch/there-are-a-variety-of-techniques-to-help-people-change-the-kind-of/) [Irving Kirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irving-kirsch/) [Browse all 28 Cognitive behavioral therapy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The origin of sorrow is this: to wish for something that does not come to pass.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Epictetus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/the-origin-of-sorrow-is-this-to-wish-for-something-that-does-not-come/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cognitive behavioral therapy" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/the-origin-of-sorrow-is-this-to-wish-for-something-that-does-not-come/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/285/epictetus-413_cognitive-behavioral_the-origin-of-sorrow-is-this-to-wish-for_2547123.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/285/epictetus-413_cognitive-behavioral_the-origin-of-sorrow-is-this-to-wish-for_2547123.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/285/epictetus-413_cognitive-behavioral_the-origin-of-sorrow-is-this-to-wish-for_2547123.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The origin of sorrow is this: to wish for something that does not come to pass.” — Epictetus", "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": "Epictetus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The origin of sorrow is this:...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/the-origin-of-sorrow-is-this-to-wish-for-something-that-does-not-come/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/the-origin-of-sorrow-is-this-to-wish-for-something-that-does-not-come/#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 } } ] } ```