--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is no greater offence than…" description: "\"There is no greater offence than harbouring desires. There is no greater disaster than discontent. There is no greater misfortune than wanting more.\" —..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09d/laozi-147_desire_there-is-no-greater-offence-than-harbour_1896152.jpg" --- # There is no greater offence than harbouring desires. There… ![“There is no greater offence than harbouring desires. There is no greater disaster than discontent. There is no greater misfortune than wanting more.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09d/laozi-147_desire_there-is-no-greater-offence-than-harbour_1896152.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09d/laozi-147_desire_there-is-no-greater-offence-than-harbour_1896152.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09d/laozi-147_desire_there-is-no-greater-offence-than-harbour_1896152.jpg) > “There is no greater offence than harbouring desires. There is no greater disaster than discontent. There is no greater misfortune than wanting more.” [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Desires, discontent, and endless wanting cause suffering; contentment is the antidote. **In simple terms:** Wanting more leads to misery; be content. Key Takeaway Cultivate contentment to reduce suffering. Themes contentment desire discontent philosophy spirituality Mood calm reflective philosophical Type advice maxim spiritual When to use this quote - personal goals - consumer habits - career ambition - relationship expectations Key Concepts stoicism mindfulness ethical living Questions to Reflect On - What desire can you let go? - How does contentment improve your life? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on desire can ignore practical needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Desires Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desires-greater-2769577/) [Disaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disaster/) [Discontent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discontent/) [Discontent Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discontent-greater-2769576/) [Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater/) [Greater Offence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater-offence-2769574/) [Harbouring Desires](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harbouring-desires-2769575/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Misfortunes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/misfortunes/) [Offence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/offence/) [Offence Harbouring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/offence-harbouring-2769578/) [Wanting more](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanting-more/) ## Related quotes > [I like stories that leave you wanting more, leave you wondering, but don't tell you everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/i-like-stories-that-leave-you-wanting-more-leave-you-wondering-but/) [Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) > [She said the reason that love is so painful is that it always amounts to two people wanting more than two people can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edna-o-brien/she-said-the-reason-that-love-is-so-painful-is-that-it-always-amounts/) [Edna O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edna-o-brien/) > [Evan Handler is not only a fine actor, he’s a damn good writer. It’s Only Temporary is wise and funny and as righteously indignant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meghan-daum/evan-handler-is-not-only-a-fine-actor-he-s-a-damn-good-writer-it-s/) [Meghan Daum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meghan-daum/) > [It's easy to leave people wanting more after the first episode, but it's hard to leave people wanting more after the 24th episode. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-heller/it-s-easy-to-leave-people-wanting-more-after-the-first-episode-but-it/) [Bruno Heller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-heller/) > [Wanting more is just a recipe for heartache.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/wanting-more-is-just-a-recipe-for-heartache/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [Homosexuality is a cage in which you are trapped in an endless cycle of constantly wanting more - sexually - that you can never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-glatze/homosexuality-is-a-cage-in-which-you-are-trapped-in-an-endless-cycle/) [Michael Glatze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-glatze/) > [Only yesterday a young woman came to me wanting a trap set for a man with a sweet smile and lithe arms. She was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/only-yesterday-a-young-woman-came-to-me-wanting-a-trap-set-for-a-man/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Love is great, love is fine. Out the box, out of line. The affliction of the feeling leaves me wanting more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rihanna/love-is-great-love-is-fine-out-the-box-out-of-line-the-affliction-of/) [Rihanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rihanna/) > ['Sustainable Development' is an oxymoron. 'Development' in all it's senses entails expansion and wanting more. Continual expansion and wanting more are unsustainable. Globally we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-johnston/sustainable-development-is-an-oxymoron-development-in-all-it-s-senses/) [Don Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-johnston/) > [Everything we have today that's cool comes from someone wanting more of something they loved in the past. Action figures, videogames, superhero movies, iPods:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patton-oswalt/everything-we-have-today-that-s-cool-comes-from-someone-wanting-more/) [Patton Oswalt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patton-oswalt/) > [I start every day by wanting more for others than I do for myself. I think that is how God works, and that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/i-start-every-day-by-wanting-more-for-others-than-i-do-for-myself-i/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [Not only do you want to leave the audience wanting more, you want to leave yourself wanting more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carole-king/not-only-do-you-want-to-leave-the-audience-wanting-more-you-want-to/) [Carole King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carole-king/) > [It's often the case with successful TV shows that they kind of inadvertently live on past their prime. It's best to leave the audience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-gilligan/it-s-often-the-case-with-successful-tv-shows-that-they-kind-of/) [Vince Gilligan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-gilligan/) > [But I guessed she would never stop wanting more for me, more from me. Maybe that's what mothers did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiera-cass/but-i-guessed-she-would-never-stop-wanting-more-for-me-more-from-me/) [Kiera Cass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiera-cass/) > [How many years will you crawl through this castle, so satisfied and still wanting more?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-mcguinn/how-many-years-will-you-crawl-through-this-castle-so-satisfied-and/) [Roger McGuinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-mcguinn/) ## More by Laozi > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-lightness-the-root-is-lost-in-haste-the-ruler-is-lost/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-the-sage-wants-to-stand-above-people-he-must-speak-to-them-from/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Goodie-goodies are the thieves of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/goodie-goodies-are-the-thieves-of-virtue/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire. He that bends shall be made straight. He that is empty shall be filled. He that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-that-humbles-himself-shall-be-preserved-entire-he-that-bends-shall/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Way of the Sage is to act but not to compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-way-of-the-sage-is-to-act-but-not-to-compete/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Do nondoing, strive for nonstriving, savor the flavorless, regard the small as important, make much of little, repay enmity with virtue; plan for difficulty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/do-nondoing-strive-for-nonstriving-savor-the-flavorless-regard-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven's Way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/without-looking-through-the-window-you-can-see-heaven-s-way/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/can-you-dissolve-your-ego-can-you-abandon-the-idea-of-self-and-other/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What's the difference between beautiful and ugly?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-s-the-difference-between-beautiful-and-ugly/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-stillness-the-muddied-water-returns-to-clarity/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He (the sage) is good to those who are good. He is also good to those who are not good. That is the virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-the-sage-is-good-to-those-who-are-good-he-is-also-good-to-those/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/there-is-a-thing-inherent-and-natural-which-existed-before-heaven-and/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What is a good man but a bad man's teacher? What is a bad man but a good man's job? If you do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-is-a-good-man-but-a-bad-man-s-teacher-what-is-a-bad-man-but-a/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) [Explore all 1,140 Laozi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## More Desire quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) [Ted Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-martinez/) > [Passion is what you need to be good, an unforgiving passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-easton/passion-is-what-you-need-to-be-good-an-unforgiving-passion/) [David Easton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-easton/) > [I want the municipality to be a helping hand to the man with a desire of sympathy, to help the fallen when it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burns/i-want-the-municipality-to-be-a-helping-hand-to-the-man-with-a-desire/) [John Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burns/) > [Ye youths and virgins, when your generous blood Has drunk the warmth of fifteen summers, now The loves invite; now to new rapture wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-armstrong/ye-youths-and-virgins-when-your-generous-blood-has-drunk-the-warmth/) [John Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-armstrong/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [“THE ESSENCE OF YOUR DESIRE IS A FEELING”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-laporte/the-essence-of-your-desire-is-a-feeling/) [Danielle LaPorte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-laporte/) > [On the brink of being satiated, desire still appears infinite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rostand/on-the-brink-of-being-satiated-desire-still-appears-infinite/) [Jean Rostand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rostand/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [He caught her, she fell, he caught her in his arms, he held her tightly unconscious of what he was doing. He held her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/he-caught-her-she-fell-he-caught-her-in-his-arms-he-held-her-tightly/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [ Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three \[great teachers\] did not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-the-arts-since-the-medium-is/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“The deepest urge in human nature is the desire to be important.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/the-deepest-urge-in-human-nature-is-the-desire-to-be-important/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [In discovering books, you became free to explore the full range of human motives, desires, secrets, and lies. All my life, people have scolded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/in-discovering-books-you-became-free-to-explore-the-full-range-of/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) > [I have never been in, nor have I had any strong particular desire to be in, what is termed a costume drama, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-freeman/i-have-never-been-in-nor-have-i-had-any-strong-particular-desire-to/) [Martin Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-freeman/) > [Now I am in the place I call this wide wide Heaven because it includes all my simplest desires but also the most humble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-sebold/now-i-am-in-the-place-i-call-this-wide-wide-heaven-because-it/) [Alice Sebold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-sebold/) > [“from THE DEVIL YOU KNOW : She wanted him too. He could see it in the rapid rise of her breasts. He could smell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emery-lee/from-the-devil-you-know-she-wanted-him-too-he-could-see-it-in-the/) [Emery Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emery-lee/) [Browse all 15,155 Desire quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is no greater offence than harbouring desires. There is no greater disaster than discontent. 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