Desire Quote by Fernando Pessoa
““I dreamily and digestively drowse. I have time, between synaesthesias. And it's extraordinary to think that, if I were asked right now what I want for this short life, I could think nothing better than these long slow minutes, this absence of thought and emotion, of action and almost o sensation itself, this inner sunset of dissipated desire. And then it occurs to me, almost without thinking, that most if not all people live like this, with greater or lesser consciousness, moving forward or standing still, but still with the very same indifference towards ultimate aims, the same renunciation of their personal goals, the same watered-down life.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Book of Disquiet” by Fernando Pessoa, 1913
Describes a yearning for timeless, thought‑free moments and critiques society’s indifferent pursuit of shallow goals.
In simple terms: Long, quiet minutes feel precious; most people drift without purpose.
Key Takeaway
Seek depth over distraction.
Themes
existentialism
time
mindfulness
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- meditation
- daily routine
- goal setting
Key Concepts
philosophy
literature
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “inner sunset” mean to you?
- How can you balance stillness with purposeful action?
A Different Perspective
The desire for emptiness can lead to stagnation.
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
