19th century Quote by Leo Tolstoy
““Vronsky meanwhile, in spite of the complete fulfilment of what he had so long desired, was not completely happy. He soon felt that the realization of his longing gave him only one grain of the mountain of bliss he had anticipated. That realization showed him the eternal error men make by imagining that happiness consists in the gratification of their wishes. When first he united his life with hers and donned civilian clothes, he felt the delight of freedom in general, such as he had not before known, and also the freedom of love—he was contented then, but not for long. Soon he felt rising in his soul a desire for desires—boredom. Involuntarily he began to snatch at every passing caprice, mistaking it for a desire and a purpose.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Anna Karenina, 1877
Achieving a long‑held desire can feel hollow; true fulfillment comes from deeper purpose, not mere wish‑granting.
In simple terms: Getting what you want isn’t always satisfying.
Key Takeaway
Seek meaning beyond surface goals.
Themes
desire
disillusionment
purpose
Mood
contemplative
philosophical
Type
inspirational
reflective
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- relationship goals
- creative projects
- personal growth
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- What deeper purpose guides your ambitions?
- How can you find contentment after achieving a goal?
A Different Perspective
Constant craving may lead to chronic dissatisfaction.
![“He [Vronsky] himself felt that, except that crazy fellow married to Kitty Shcherbatsky, who, quite irrelevantly had with rabid virulence told him a lot of pointless nonsense, every nobleman whose acquaintance he had made had become his partisan.” quote by Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/40c/leo-tolstoy-55_anna-karenina_he-vronsky-himself-felt-that-except-that_2607185.jpg)
![“. . . Luddites were those frenzied traditionalists of the early 19th century who toured [England] wrecking new weaving machines on the theory that if they were destroyed . . . old jobs and old ways of life could be preserved . . . At certain times in his life each man is tempted to become a…” quote by James A. Michener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/182/james-a-michener-1627_19th-century_luddites-were-those-frenzied-traditional_76909.jpg)
