--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is no greater sin than desire, No…" description: "\"There is no greater sin than desire, No greater curse than discontent, No greater misfortune than wanting something for oneself. Therefore he who knows..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b72/laozi-147_curse_there-is-no-greater-sin-than-desire-no-g_936696.jpg" --- # There is no greater sin than desire, No greater curse than… ![“There is no greater sin than desire, No greater curse than discontent, No greater misfortune than wanting something for oneself. Therefore he who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b72/laozi-147_curse_there-is-no-greater-sin-than-desire-no-g_936696.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b72/laozi-147_curse_there-is-no-greater-sin-than-desire-no-g_936696.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b72/laozi-147_curse_there-is-no-greater-sin-than-desire-no-g_936696.jpg) > “There is no greater sin than desire, No greater curse than discontent, No greater misfortune than wanting something for oneself. Therefore he who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.” [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. Contentment comes from recognizing sufficiency, not endless desire, leading to lasting abundance. **In simple terms:** Enough is enough; desire brings lack. Key Takeaway Cultivate gratitude and limit cravings. Themes contentment desire abundance philosophy Mood reflective calm Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal finance - relationships - career planning - mental health Key Concepts Stoicism Buddhism mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - What does “enough” look like in your life? - How does desire affect your happiness? A Different Perspective If one never recognizes enough, contentment remains elusive. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Curse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curse/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Desire Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire-greater-1540004/) [Discontent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discontent/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [Enough is enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough-is-enough/) [Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater/) [Greater Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater-sin-416571/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Misfortune Wanting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/misfortune-wanting-1569350/) [Misfortunes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/misfortunes/) [Oneself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oneself/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) [Sin Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin-desire-1569349/) [Tao te ching leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tao-te-ching-leadership/) ## Related quotes > [At the moment I sin, I desire the sin more than I desire to please God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/at-the-moment-i-sin-i-desire-the-sin-more-than-i-desire-to-please-god/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [“Remember that any desire is tested; the greater the desire, the greater the tests.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/remember-that-any-desire-is-tested-the-greater-the-desire-the-greater/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [The desire to be part of something greater and to occupy life more fully, is also a desire to touch and be touched by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-meade/the-desire-to-be-part-of-something-greater-and-to-occupy-life-more/) [Michael Meade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-meade/) > [The reason is that nature has so created men that they are able to desire everything but are not able to attain everything: so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/the-reason-is-that-nature-has-so-created-men-that-they-are-able-to/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“I wish you the wisdom to know you’re better than what you've settled for, the desire for something greater, and the courage to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/i-wish-you-the-wisdom-to-know-you-re-better-than-what-you-ve-settled/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [Join me in my quest for a greater understanding of our existence. Join me in my desire for a greater self. Join me as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-h-mcgill/join-me-in-my-quest-for-a-greater-understanding-of-our-existence-join/) [Bryant H. McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-h-mcgill/) > [The nameless is the beginning of Heaven and Earth. The named is the mother of all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-nameless-is-the-beginning-of-heaven-and-earth-the-named-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [When taxes are too high, people go hungry. When the government is too intrusive, people lose their spirit. Act for the people's benefit. Trust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-taxes-are-too-high-people-go-hungry-when-the-government-is-too/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What man has more than enough and gives it to the world? Only the man of Tao.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-man-has-more-than-enough-and-gives-it-to-the-world-only-the-man/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never be truly fulfilled.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-you-look-to-others-for-fulfillment-you-will-never-be-truly/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [It is fitting for a great nation to yield.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/it-is-fitting-for-a-great-nation-to-yield/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [All streams flow to the sea because it is lower than they are. Humility gives it its power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/all-streams-flow-to-the-sea-because-it-is-lower-than-they-are/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If you want to accord with the Tao, just do your job, then let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-you-want-to-accord-with-the-tao-just-do-your-job-then-let-go/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [I have three treasures which I hold and keep. The first is mercy; the second is economy. The third is daring not to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/i-have-three-treasures-which-i-hold-and-keep-the-first-is-mercy-the/) [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/) ## 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 Curse quotes > [Who knew the counter-curse was just unjellify?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucius-malfoy/who-knew-the-counter-curse-was-just-unjellify/) [Lucius Malfoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucius-malfoy/) > [Half the misery of human life might be extinguished if men would alleviate the general curse they lie under by mutual offices of compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/half-the-misery-of-human-life-might-be-extinguished-if-men-would/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [You have been deceived by your own cold heart - a curse upon your house and all within it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beauty-and-the-beast/you-have-been-deceived-by-your-own-cold-heart-a-curse-upon-your-house/) [Beauty And The Beast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beauty-and-the-beast/) > [The old men of the village of Mahotière say that the Mistress of the Water is a mulatto woman. At midnight she comes out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-roumain/the-old-men-of-the-village-of-mahoti-re-say-that-the-mistress-of-the/) [Jacques Roumain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-roumain/) > [“Mary: Some call this "Eve's curse," but I think that is stupid because the real curse of Eve was having to put up with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/mary-some-call-this-eve-s-curse-but-i-think-that-is-stupid-because/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [Were you indeed not blinded by the Curse Of Self-exile, that still grows worse and worse, Yourselves would know that, though you see him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/farid-al-din-attar/were-you-indeed-not-blinded-by-the-curse-of-self-exile-that-still/) [Farid al-Din Attar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/farid-al-din-attar/) > [Down where I grew up, able-bodied people do that which we believe God created them to do. Work is a blessing; it's not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-southerland/down-where-i-grew-up-able-bodied-people-do-that-which-we-believe-god/) [Steve Southerland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-southerland/) > [I especially like the songs Hurry Up and The Curse Of Castle Dragon, and I often include them in my live show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gilbert/i-especially-like-the-songs-hurry-up-and-the-curse-of-castle-dragon/) [Paul Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gilbert/) > [If the idea of having to change ourselves makes us uncomfortable, we can remain as we are. We can choose rest over labour, entertainment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/if-the-idea-of-having-to-change-ourselves-makes-us-uncomfortable-we/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [“Mungu akikubariki kipaji chako watu watasema ni laana. Maisha yako ni sawa na mto. Unakoelekea ni baharini. Lakini sasa umefika kwenye mlango wa bahari.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enock-maregesi/mungu-akikubariki-kipaji-chako-watu-watasema-ni-laana-maisha-yako-ni/) [Enock Maregesi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enock-maregesi/) > [Partisanship is our great curse. We too readily assume that everything has two sides and that it is our duty to be on one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-harvey-robinson/partisanship-is-our-great-curse-we-too-readily-assume-that-everything/) [James Harvey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-harvey-robinson/) > [You have power over my body but the Lord Jesus hath power over my body and soul; and assure yourselves thus much, you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-hutchinson/you-have-power-over-my-body-but-the-lord-jesus-hath-power-over-my/) [Anne Hutchinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-hutchinson/) > [“The penis, often regarded as a weapon, is also a burden, the male curse.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gay-talese/the-penis-often-regarded-as-a-weapon-is-also-a-burden-the-male-curse/) [Gay Talese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gay-talese/) > [“Beauty will always be a curse.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-c-perry/beauty-will-always-be-a-curse/) [L.C. Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-c-perry/) > [“Sometimes," Helena continued, "I have a terrible dream of the future. Not now, but presently, people may forget their loyalty to their kings and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-waugh/sometimes-helena-continued-i-have-a-terrible-dream-of-the-future-not/) [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) [Browse all 1,718 Curse quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curse/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is no greater sin than desire, No greater curse than discontent, No greater misfortune than wanting something for oneself. 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