Burning desire Quote by Honoré de Balzac
““However, she wouldn't be the first person to mistrust her nearest and dearest yet confide in the first stranger who comes along: a strange but true quirk of behaviour, whose root is easily traced to the human heart. Some people perhaps have nothing left to gain from those they live with; having revealed the emptiness of their souls, they secretly feel themselves to be judged with deserved severity; however, as they have a powerful craving for the flattery they need but lack, or a burning desire to appear to possess qualities they do not have, they hope to take by surprise the heart and esteem of those who are strangers to them, at the risk of one day falling from grace.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Le Père Goriot, 1835
People often distrust close ones while seeking validation from strangers, driven by emptiness and a desire for flattery, risking eventual downfall.
In simple terms: Seeking approval from strangers due to inner emptiness.
Key Takeaway
Beware of seeking validation outside trusted relationships.
Themes
trust
validation
human nature
pride
risk
Mood
lonely
reflective
cautious
Type
advice
psychological
observational
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- workplace dynamics
- online interactions
- friendship building
Key Concepts
psychology
social behavior
self-esteem
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we turn to strangers for validation?
- How can we rebuild trust with close ones?
A Different Perspective
Such behavior can lead to isolation and loss of genuine connections.
![“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)
