--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We've got so much in this life that all…" description: "\"We've got so much in this life that all we know how to do is want more. So we concentrate on the wrong things-things we can see-as being the measure of..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d27/joan-bauer-3032_bigs_we-ve-got-so-much-in-this-life-that-all_2945477.png" --- # We've got so much in this life that all we know how to do… ![“We've got so much in this life that all we know how to do is want more. So we concentrate on the wrong things-things we can see-as being the measure of a person. We think if we win something big or buy something snazzy it'll make us more than we are. Our hearts know that's not true, but the eyes…” quote by Joan Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d27/joan-bauer-3032_bigs_we-ve-got-so-much-in-this-life-that-all_2945477.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d27/joan-bauer-3032_bigs_we-ve-got-so-much-in-this-life-that-all_2945477.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d27/joan-bauer-3032_bigs_we-ve-got-so-much-in-this-life-that-all_2945477.png) > “We've got so much in this life that all we know how to do is want more. So we concentrate on the wrong things-things we can see-as being the measure of a person. We think if we win something big or buy something snazzy it'll make us more than we are. Our hearts know that's not true, but the eyes are powerful.” [Joan Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-bauer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often chase material signs of success, ignoring deeper values; external measures can mislead. **In simple terms:** We chase the wrong things. Key Takeaway Focus on inner values over external symbols. Themes materialism values perception self‑worth societal pressure Mood reflective critical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - budgeting - mindful consumption - self‑reflection Key Concepts philosophy psychology cultural critique Questions to Reflect On - What truly defines your worth? - How can you shift focus from external to internal? A Different Perspective Material success doesn’t guarantee happiness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bigs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bigs/) [Eye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eye/) [Eyes Powerful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eyes-powerful-1528149/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Know how](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-how/) [Know Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-want/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Monday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monday/) [Person Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/person-think/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Powerful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/powerful/) [Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think/) [Think Win](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-win/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [This life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/this-life/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) [Wrong things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrong-things/) ## Related quotes > [“We've got so much in this life that all we know how to do is want more. So we concentrate on the wrong things--things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-bauer/we-ve-got-so-much-in-this-life-that-all-we-know-how-to-do-is-want/) [Joan Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-bauer/) > [The love in his eyes was so powerful, I needed to look away. Seth had an amazing grasp of the English language, but there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/the-love-in-his-eyes-was-so-powerful-i-needed-to-look-away-seth-had/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [“The internal psychological pressure to make up a story, to explain the ruins before one's eyes, is powerful indeed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/the-internal-psychological-pressure-to-make-up-a-story-to-explain-the/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [“The eyes are one of the most powerful tools a woman can have. With one look, she can relay the most intimate message. After…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-salaiz/the-eyes-are-one-of-the-most-powerful-tools-a-woman-can-have-with-one/) [Jennifer Salaiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-salaiz/) > [“The eyes are the most powerful social signalers that we have and hence are sometimes called 'the windows of the soul' One of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-wilson/the-eyes-are-the-most-powerful-social-signalers-that-we-have-and/) [Glen Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-wilson/) > [I think we can win it if my brain holds out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcgraw/i-think-we-can-win-it-if-my-brain-holds-out/) [John McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcgraw/) > [I don't think we can win every game. Just the next one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/i-don-t-think-we-can-win-every-game-just-the-next-one/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [I think you always win in storytelling when you let the best creative ideas guide you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-billingsley/i-think-you-always-win-in-storytelling-when-you-let-the-best-creative/) [Peter Billingsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-billingsley/) > [We can't think after every win that we're playing as we want just because we won a match.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-villas-boas/we-can-t-think-after-every-win-that-we-re-playing-as-we-want-just/) [Andre Villas-Boas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-villas-boas/) > [If a horse has four legs, and I'm riding it, I think I can win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/if-a-horse-has-four-legs-and-i-m-riding-it-i-think-i-can-win/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [I think sometimes, when you're on top and all you do is win, win, win, win, win, you get lazy and lose focus. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usain-bolt/i-think-sometimes-when-you-re-on-top-and-all-you-do-is-win-win-win/) [Usain Bolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usain-bolt/) > [I think I can win multiple times a year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brooks-koepka/i-think-i-can-win-multiple-times-a-year/) [Brooks Koepka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brooks-koepka/) > [“So who do you think would win in a fight, Max? Us or the rest of the world?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-austen/so-who-do-you-think-would-win-in-a-fight-max-us-or-the-rest-of-the/) [Catherine Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-austen/) > [“You're never as good as you think you are when you win; and you're never as bad as you feel when you lose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-paterno/you-re-never-as-good-as-you-think-you-are-when-you-win-and-you-re/) [Joe Paterno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-paterno/) > [I think I can win a slam. That's my main goal, and if I could choose one, then yes, it would have to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tomas-berdych/i-think-i-can-win-a-slam-that-s-my-main-goal-and-if-i-could-choose/) [Tomas Berdych](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tomas-berdych/) ## More by Joan Bauer > [“You need a negative charge and a positive one to get something moving. We've got the negative; we're going to find the positive if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-bauer/you-need-a-negative-charge-and-a-positive-one-to-get-something-moving/) [Joan Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-bauer/) > [“I watched that plant in the office every day. Watered it; misted it. I loved thinking about it like G.T. said, but part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-bauer/i-watched-that-plant-in-the-office-every-day-watered-it-misted-it-i/) [Joan Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-bauer/) > [I'll tell you something about tough times. They just about kill you, but if you decide to keep working at them, you'll find your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-bauer/i-ll-tell-you-something-about-tough-times-they-just-about-kill-you/) [Joan Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-bauer/) > [“Why do you think, A.J.," they say in unison, "that you find these boys so attractive?" I didn't say that this fiery chemical explosion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-bauer/why-do-you-think-a-j-they-say-in-unison-that-you-find-these-boys-so/) [Joan Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-bauer/) > [“Millstone sputtered, "I don't know where you're getting your information, G.T., but that's as bogus as a barking cat!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-bauer/millstone-sputtered-i-don-t-know-where-you-re-getting-your/) [Joan Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-bauer/) > [“How could a man with so much heart die from a heart attack?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-bauer/how-could-a-man-with-so-much-heart-die-from-a-heart-attack/) [Joan Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-bauer/) > [“Mother, this is a confidential business discussion. I hardly think that your driver can add anything noteworthy." I could kick you in the stomach,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-bauer/mother-this-is-a-confidential-business-discussion-i-hardly-think-that/) [Joan Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-bauer/) > [“Perchance, I would listen. Have you said anything?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-bauer/perchance-i-would-listen-have-you-said-anything/) [Joan Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-bauer/) > [My father always told me that in this world we are going to make a truckload of mistakes, but the best mistake we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-bauer/my-father-always-told-me-that-in-this-world-we-are-going-to-make-a/) [Joan Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-bauer/) > [“COOK’S TIP: Bake every day. If you have to leave town fast, you’ll always have something good to eat in the car.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-bauer/cook-s-tip-bake-every-day-if-you-have-to-leave-town-fast-you-ll/) [Joan Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-bauer/) > [Mom put dense cheddar bread into a bag for a man who said this was his wife's favorite - he'd driven all the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-bauer/mom-put-dense-cheddar-bread-into-a-bag-for-a-man-who-said-this-was/) [Joan Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-bauer/) > [“you’ve got to love yourself with all your shortcomings, and you’ve got to love the world, no matter how bad it gets.” Boy,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-bauer/you-ve-got-to-love-yourself-with-all-your-shortcomings-and-you-ve-got/) [Joan Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-bauer/) > [“I don’t want you to leap into another relationship without thinking. Looking for perfect is a big, fat myth because perfect isn’t out there.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-bauer/i-don-t-want-you-to-leap-into-another-relationship-without-thinking/) [Joan Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-bauer/) > [Sometimes the best thing that can happen to a person is to have a puppy lick your face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-bauer/sometimes-the-best-thing-that-can-happen-to-a-person-is-to-have-a/) [Joan Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-bauer/) > [“We've got so much in this life that all we know how to do is want more. So we concentrate on the wrong things--things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-bauer/we-ve-got-so-much-in-this-life-that-all-we-know-how-to-do-is-want/) [Joan Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-bauer/) [Explore all 139 Joan Bauer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-bauer/) ## More Bigs quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [It is said that history turns on small hinges. A human career, too, results from an accumulating series of decisions about large and small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/it-is-said-that-history-turns-on-small-hinges-a-human-career-too/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [I'm a true believer in prayer, a big believer in prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-jackson/i-m-a-true-believer-in-prayer-a-big-believer-in-prayer/) [Janet Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-jackson/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [The only regret I have in my career, is my managers wanted a big payday, and I wanted four or five more fights before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerry-cooney/the-only-regret-i-have-in-my-career-is-my-managers-wanted-a-big/) [Gerry Cooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerry-cooney/) > [It goes to show you how we in the press so often miss the big stories that are right under our noses. There is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ebert/it-goes-to-show-you-how-we-in-the-press-so-often-miss-the-big-stories/) [Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ebert/) > [Okay, so I'll admit I'm curious. Big deal. We both know what that leads to. Dead cat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-elizabeth-phillips/okay-so-i-ll-admit-i-m-curious-big-deal-we-both-know-what-that-leads/) [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-elizabeth-phillips/) > [I don't want this to be a distraction. This has been distracting enough. I'm not going to rehash this going forward. I'm sure other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-werth/i-don-t-want-this-to-be-a-distraction-this-has-been-distracting/) [Jayson Werth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-werth/) > [I didn't get how big it was until I went home, turned on the television and saw it on all the news, and later…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-simon/i-didn-t-get-how-big-it-was-until-i-went-home-turned-on-the/) [Paul Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-simon/) > [It’s a small thing to help one animal, but to that one animal it’s a big thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-baur/it-s-a-small-thing-to-help-one-animal-but-to-that-one-animal-it-s-a/) [Gene Baur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-baur/) > [Since I was a little child, my nose - I think it's too big.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/celine-dion/since-i-was-a-little-child-my-nose-i-think-it-s-too-big/) [Celine Dion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/celine-dion/) > [People forget that there is a big difference between coercion and persuasion. The idea that evangelism is coercive is nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-dever/people-forget-that-there-is-a-big-difference-between-coercion-and/) [Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-dever/) > [I turn a lot of stuff down - big, big movies, the kind I wouldn't want to go to the cinema to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-fox/i-turn-a-lot-of-stuff-down-big-big-movies-the-kind-i-wouldn-t-want-to/) [Matthew Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-fox/) > [I got in trouble my whole life for having a big mouth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-tyler/i-got-in-trouble-my-whole-life-for-having-a-big-mouth/) [Steven Tyler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-tyler/) [Browse all 15,539 Bigs quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bigs/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We've got so much in this life that all we know how to do is want more. 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