--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My whole life I’d lived off the one…" description: "\"“My whole life I’d lived off the one wretched ambition that still possessed me: to be more than I was; to reject and despise everything that was in my ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78b/mela-hartwig-132650_adventure_my-whole-life-i-d-lived-off-the-one-wret_392898.jpg" --- # My whole life I’d lived off the one wretched ambition that… ![“My whole life I’d lived off the one wretched ambition that still possessed me: to be more than I was; to reject and despise everything that was in my reach and to set goals I was incapable of reaching; to chase after emotions I was incapable of feeling; to seek out adventures I couldn’t live up…” quote by Mela Hartwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78b/mela-hartwig-132650_adventure_my-whole-life-i-d-lived-off-the-one-wret_392898.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78b/mela-hartwig-132650_adventure_my-whole-life-i-d-lived-off-the-one-wret_392898.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78b/mela-hartwig-132650_adventure_my-whole-life-i-d-lived-off-the-one-wret_392898.jpg) > ““My whole life I’d lived off the one wretched ambition that still possessed me: to be more than I was; to reject and despise everything that was in my reach and to set goals I was incapable of reaching; to chase after emotions I was incapable of feeling; to seek out adventures I couldn’t live up to; to have a friendship that was no friendship, a love that was no love; ambitions yoked to a weak will, a will stuck in the mire of unfulfilled desire.”” Mela Hartwig ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A person obsessively pursues unattainable goals and emotions, rejecting what’s attainable, leading to perpetual dissatisfaction. **In simple terms:** Chasing impossible goals creates endless longing. Key Takeaway Accept realistic goals and appreciate what you have. Themes ambition desire self‑sabotage psychology life unfulfillment Mood frustrated reflective hopeful Type personal insight psychological motivational When to use this quote - career planning - relationship building - personal growth - mental health counseling Key Concepts Freudian analysis self‑deception goal setting emotional avoidance Questions to Reflect On - What limits are you imposing on yourself? - How can you find contentment in achievable goals? A Different Perspective The drive may mask deeper insecurity, preventing genuine fulfillment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adventure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adventure/) [Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) [Ambitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambitions/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Freudian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freudian/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Psychoanalytic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychoanalytic/) ## Related quotes > [“It’s so easy to lose faith and become lost in all of the politics of the world. That’s why we need the arts. To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/it-s-so-easy-to-lose-faith-and-become-lost-in-all-of-the-politics-of/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [Families are endlessly fascinating. 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