Desire Quote by Jane Hirshfield
“Life is short. But desire, desire is long.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “Desire” in The Book of Hours, 2005
Life is brief, yet desire endures, highlighting the tension between temporal existence and lasting longing.
In simple terms: Life is short, desire lasts.
Key Takeaway
Recognize enduring desires beyond fleeting time.
Themes
impermanence
longing
time
Mood
thoughtful
melancholic
Type
philosophical
poetic
When to use this quote
- career planning
- relationship goals
- artistic pursuits
Key Concepts
existential
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What long‑term desires shape your life?
- How do you balance fleeting moments with lasting goals?
A Different Perspective
Desire can cause dissatisfaction.
![“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)
