--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There's a chasm between envy and desire…" description: "\"“There's a chasm between envy and desire. Envy is like wanting something that's not yours. But desire is different. Desire comes out of wanting what is..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc3/michka-assayas-28390_desire_there-s-a-chasm-between-envy-and-desire_3190875.jpg" --- # There's a chasm between envy and desire. Envy is like… ![“There's a chasm between envy and desire. Envy is like wanting something that's not yours. But desire is different. Desire comes out of wanting what is yours, and still wanting it even if it's not yet there, but it's not envy.” quote by Michka Assayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc3/michka-assayas-28390_desire_there-s-a-chasm-between-envy-and-desire_3190875.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc3/michka-assayas-28390_desire_there-s-a-chasm-between-envy-and-desire_3190875.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc3/michka-assayas-28390_desire_there-s-a-chasm-between-envy-and-desire_3190875.jpg) > ““There's a chasm between envy and desire. Envy is like wanting something that's not yours. But desire is different. Desire comes out of wanting what is yours, and still wanting it even if it's not yet there, but it's not envy.”” [Michka Assayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michka-assayas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Desire seeks fulfillment of one's own aspirations, while envy covets what belongs to others. **In simple terms:** Desire is personal; envy is about others. Key Takeaway Cultivate desire, avoid envy. Themes desire envy psychology motivation ethics Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal goal setting - relationship dynamics - career ambition - creative pursuits Key Concepts self‑actualization comparative emotion intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation Questions to Reflect On - What drives your true desires? - How do you transform envy into motivation? A Different Perspective Desire can become unhealthy if obsessive. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Desire Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire-different-722125/) [Desire Envy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire-envy-5884212/) [Envy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/envy/) [Envy Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/envy-desire-3954757/) [Wanting Envy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanting-envy-5884213/) ## Related quotes > [IF ENVY DESIRE TO BE YOUR BEST FRIEND THEN YOU SHOULD DESIRE TO BE HER WORST ENEMY.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornelius-ibiolorundun/if-envy-desire-to-be-your-best-friend-then-you-should-desire-to-be/) [CORNELIUS IBIOLORUNDUN](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelius-ibiolorundun/) > [Weakness for wealth and for collecting and owning things of different kinds; the urge for physical (sensuous) enjoyment; the longing for honour, which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tito-colliander/weakness-for-wealth-and-for-collecting-and-owning-things-of-different/) [Tito Colliander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tito-colliander/) > [Jealousy is an ugly emotion, but it tells the truth. You mostly envy those who have what you desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/jealousy-is-an-ugly-emotion-but-it-tells-the-truth-you-mostly-envy/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [What happens when a female writer invokes a female muse? Does something else happen? With Sappho's figures of desire, we have a different lesbian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-geok-lin-lim/what-happens-when-a-female-writer-invokes-a-female-muse-does/) [Shirley Geok-lin Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-geok-lin-lim/) > [The desire to do different things was the main motivator that made me leave late night because I'd been there seven years. The combination…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-richter/the-desire-to-do-different-things-was-the-main-motivator-that-made-me/) [Andy Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-richter/) > [The desire to be different from the people we live with is sometimes the result of our rejection- real or imagined- by them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-desire-to-be-different-from-the-people-we-live-with-is-sometimes/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [EVERY intense desire is perhaps basically a desire to be different from what we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/every-intense-desire-is-perhaps-basically-a-desire-to-be-different/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Being in New York has definitely intensified my desire to be different and individual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-berk/being-in-new-york-has-definitely-intensified-my-desire-to-be/) [Bobby Berk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-berk/) > [Every intense desire is perhaps a desire to be different from what we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/every-intense-desire-is-perhaps-a-desire-to-be-different-from-what-we/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [As an actor, my desire was always to be different, there was a desire to associate yourself with projects that bring about the contemporary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pankaj-kapur/as-an-actor-my-desire-was-always-to-be-different-there-was-a-desire/) [Pankaj Kapur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pankaj-kapur/) > [“The Temperature is Rising The heartbeat quickens my breath is controlled,my senses are illuminated like a mother to her young. This feeling I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-i-ghostwriter/the-temperature-is-rising-the-heartbeat-quickens-my-breath-is/) [M.I. Ghostwriter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-i-ghostwriter/) > [There is no sweeter sound than the crumbling of one's fellow man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/groucho-marx/there-is-no-sweeter-sound-than-the-crumbling-of-one-s-fellow-man/) [Groucho Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/groucho-marx/) > [“I don't envy "busy." Busy means having a schedule, not living life. What I really covet is leisure and peace of mind. Those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-lynn-hope/i-don-t-envy-busy-busy-means-having-a-schedule-not-living-life-what-i/) [Donna Lynn Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-lynn-hope/) > [“He often remembered his dad's admonition that envy was mental theft. If you coveted another man's possessions, Dad said, then you should be willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/he-often-remembered-his-dad-s-admonition-that-envy-was-mental-theft/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) ## More by Michka Assayas > [“There are stories to tell that are not songs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michka-assayas/there-are-stories-to-tell-that-are-not-songs/) [Michka Assayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michka-assayas/) > [I think cynicism often disguises itself as humour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michka-assayas/i-think-cynicism-often-disguises-itself-as-humour/) [Michka Assayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michka-assayas/) > [“The more you experience love, the more full of it you should be. But the opposite sometimes happens, because you fear the loss of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michka-assayas/the-more-you-experience-love-the-more-full-of-it-you-should-be-but/) [Michka Assayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michka-assayas/) > [“I don't like to abuse alcohol-anything you abuse will abuse you back.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michka-assayas/i-don-t-like-to-abuse-alcohol-anything-you-abuse-will-abuse-you-back/) [Michka Assayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michka-assayas/) > [“Rage, there's a rage in me that I have to rely on others, even though I'm very good at relying on others. But at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michka-assayas/rage-there-s-a-rage-in-me-that-i-have-to-rely-on-others-even-though-i/) [Michka Assayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michka-assayas/) > [“He always had this thing about him, that he wouldn't nominate himself to run in the race. But if he was put in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michka-assayas/he-always-had-this-thing-about-him-that-he-wouldn-t-nominate-himself/) [Michka Assayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michka-assayas/) > [“Time often is forgiving and dismissive of the influences, because they recede. We look at Sgt. Pepper and we go "wow! How did they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michka-assayas/time-often-is-forgiving-and-dismissive-of-the-influences-because-they/) [Michka Assayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michka-assayas/) > [“Where that rage comes from? Partly, I would say it's a sense that a life can be taken away from you, quickly, in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michka-assayas/where-that-rage-comes-from-partly-i-would-say-it-s-a-sense-that-a/) [Michka Assayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michka-assayas/) > [My point about alcohol is that if you abuse something, it abuses you back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michka-assayas/my-point-about-alcohol-is-that-if-you-abuse-something-it-abuses-you/) [Michka Assayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michka-assayas/) > [Look, the job of life is to turn your negatives into positives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michka-assayas/look-the-job-of-life-is-to-turn-your-negatives-into-positives/) [Michka Assayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michka-assayas/) > [“Bono: But you write. Why do you write? Michka: well, because I'm unable to express things in another way. I often believe that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michka-assayas/bono-but-you-write-why-do-you-write-michka-well-because-i-m-unable-to/) [Michka Assayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michka-assayas/) > [I've always believed in instinct over intellect. The instinct is what you always knew; intellect is what you figure out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michka-assayas/i-ve-always-believed-in-instinct-over-intellect-the-instinct-is-what/) [Michka Assayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michka-assayas/) > [“So how did you end up making a fool of yourself in front of twenty thousand people? I had a bigger hole to fill.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michka-assayas/so-how-did-you-end-up-making-a-fool-of-yourself-in-front-of-twenty/) [Michka Assayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michka-assayas/) > [“You have so mamy different personas. The one i meet in Dublin, the one who speaks on the phone. There are a few other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michka-assayas/you-have-so-mamy-different-personas-the-one-i-meet-in-dublin-the-one/) [Michka Assayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michka-assayas/) > [“I think the time that I knew that I was capable of all the things that I disliked the most in other people was,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michka-assayas/i-think-the-time-that-i-knew-that-i-was-capable-of-all-the-things/) [Michka Assayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michka-assayas/) [Explore all 19 Michka Assayas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michka-assayas/) ## 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's a chasm between envy and desire. Envy is like wanting something that's not yours. But desire is different. 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