Action Quote by Mark Twain
“Tom said to himself that it was not such a hollow world, after all. He had discovered a great law of human action, without knowing it -- namely, that in order to make a man or a boy covet a thing, it is only necessary to make the thing difficult to attain.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Tom Sawyer, Mark Twain, 1876
People desire things more when they are hard to get, a principle of human motivation.
In simple terms: Harder things become more wanted.
Key Takeaway
Create scarcity to increase desire.
Themes
desire
motivation
scarcity
human nature
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
observational
insightful
When to use this quote
- marketing
- relationship building
- personal goal setting
- education
- leadership
Key Concepts
psychology
behavioral economics
incentives
Questions to Reflect On
- What can you make more appealing by adding challenge?
- When does difficulty backfire?
A Different Perspective
If the difficulty is too great, it can deter rather than attract.
