--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The reason is that nature has so created…" description: "\"The reason is that nature has so created men that they are able to desire everything but are not able to attain everything: so that the desire being al..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/147/niccolo-machiavelli-368_able_the-reason-is-that-nature-has-so-created_2248734.jpg" --- # The reason is that nature has so created men that they are… ![“The reason is that nature has so created men that they are able to desire everything but are not able to attain everything: so that the desire being always greater than the acquisition, there results discontent with the possession and little satisfaction to themselves from it. From this arises the…” quote by Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/147/niccolo-machiavelli-368_able_the-reason-is-that-nature-has-so-created_2248734.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/147/niccolo-machiavelli-368_able_the-reason-is-that-nature-has-so-created_2248734.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/147/niccolo-machiavelli-368_able_the-reason-is-that-nature-has-so-created_2248734.jpg) > “The reason is that nature has so created men that they are able to desire everything but are not able to attain everything: so that the desire being always greater than the acquisition, there results discontent with the possession and little satisfaction to themselves from it. From this arises the changes in their fortunes; for as men desire, some to have more, some in fear of losing their acquisition, there ensues enmity and war, from which results the ruin of that province and the elevation of another.” [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human desire always exceeds what can be obtained, leading to perpetual dissatisfaction and conflict that reshapes societies. **In simple terms:** Desire outpaces acquisition, causing unrest and war. Key Takeaway Recognize limits of desire to reduce conflict. Themes desire conflict politics human nature Mood cautious reflective Type philosophical political When to use this quote - personal ambition - political leadership - resource allocation - social policy Key Concepts Machiavellianism psychology economics Questions to Reflect On - How can societies channel excess desire into constructive outcomes? - What mechanisms reduce envy and war? A Different Perspective Desire may also drive innovation and progress, not just discord. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Able](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able/) [Acquisition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquisition/) [Arise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arise/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Art of war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-of-war/) [Attain Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attain-desire-938624/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Desire Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire-greater-1540004/) [Discontent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discontent/) [Discontent Possession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discontent-possession-5126912/) [Elevation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elevation/) [Enmity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enmity/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Fortune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fortune/) [Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater/) [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [Losing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/losing/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-desire/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Possession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possession/) [Provinces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/provinces/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Results](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/results/) [Ruins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ruins/) [Satisfaction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/satisfaction/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [“It was the verdict of ancient writers that men afflict themselves in evil and weary themselves in the good, and that the same effects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/it-was-the-verdict-of-ancient-writers-that-men-afflict-themselves-in/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“There are people who are never content, never appeased, forever dissatisfied—who continually look to what escapes them, convincing themselves that if only they could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/there-are-people-who-are-never-content-never-appeased-forever/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [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/) > [“If you will but aspire You will attain to all that you desire. Before an atom of such need the Sun Seems dim and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/attar-of-nishapur/if-you-will-but-aspire-you-will-attain-to-all-that-you-desire-before/) [Attar of Nishapur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/attar-of-nishapur/) > [It belongs to the imperfection of everything human that man can only attain his desire by passing through its opposite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/it-belongs-to-the-imperfection-of-everything-human-that-man-can-only/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [There is no greater sin than desire, No greater curse than discontent, No greater misfortune than wanting something for oneself. Therefore he who knows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/there-is-no-greater-sin-than-desire-no-greater-curse-than-discontent/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“Just because you are struggling on a farm or in a factory, doing something against which your whole nature rebels, because there is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orison-swett-marden/just-because-you-are-struggling-on-a-farm-or-in-a-factory-doing/) [Orison Swett Marden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orison-swett-marden/) > [“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/) > [“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/) > [In men desire begets love, and in women love begets desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/in-men-desire-begets-love-and-in-women-love-begets-desire/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [“Cheating is an innate evolutionarily programmed desire, especially in men, but it is not a desire that cannot be controlled.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/cheating-is-an-innate-evolutionarily-programmed-desire-especially-in/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“Therefore the sage desires what (other men) do not desire, and does not prize things difficult to get; he learns what (other men) do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/therefore-the-sage-desires-what-other-men-do-not-desire-and-does-not/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [The mystical impulse in men is somehow a desire to possess the universe. In women, it's a desire to be possessed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-wilson/the-mystical-impulse-in-men-is-somehow-a-desire-to-possess-the/) [Colin Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-wilson/) > [“Some swore he was a maid in man's attire, For in his looks were all that men desire, A pleasant smiling cheeke, a speaking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-harkness/some-swore-he-was-a-maid-in-man-s-attire-for-in-his-looks-were-all/) [Deborah Harkness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-harkness/) ## More by Niccolo Machiavelli > [Men generally decide upon a middle course, which is most hazardous, for they know neither how to be entirely good nor entirely bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/men-generally-decide-upon-a-middle-course-which-is-most-hazardous-for/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Because there are three classes of intellects: one which comprehends by itself; another which appreciates what others comprehend; and a third which neither comprehends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/because-there-are-three-classes-of-intellects-one-which-comprehends/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [It is the duty of a man of honor to teach others the good which he has not been able to do himself because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/it-is-the-duty-of-a-man-of-honor-to-teach-others-the-good-which-he/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“Anyone who believes that new benefits make men of high station forget old injuries deceives himself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/anyone-who-believes-that-new-benefits-make-men-of-high-station-forget/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [He who has once begun to live by rapine always finds reasons for taking what is not his.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/he-who-has-once-begun-to-live-by-rapine-always-finds-reasons-for/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Everyone who wants to know what will happen ought to examine what has happened: everything in this world in any epoch has their replicas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/everyone-who-wants-to-know-what-will-happen-ought-to-examine-what-has/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Speaking generally, men are ungrateful, fickle, hypocritical, fearful odanger and covetous ogain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/speaking-generally-men-are-ungrateful-fickle-hypocritical-fearful/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [There is nothing as likely to succeed as what the enemy believes you cannot attempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/there-is-nothing-as-likely-to-succeed-as-what-the-enemy-believes-you/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearance, as though they were realities and are often more influenced by the things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/for-the-great-majority-of-mankind-are-satisfied-with-appearance-as/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [That prince is highly esteemed who conveys this impression of himself, and he who is highly esteemed is not easily conspired against; for, provided…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/that-prince-is-highly-esteemed-who-conveys-this-impression-of-himself/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“Anyone who studies present and ancient affairs will easily see how in all cities and all peoples there still exist, and have always existed,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/anyone-who-studies-present-and-ancient-affairs-will-easily-see-how-in/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [I believe that it is possible for one to praise, without concern, any man after he is dead since every reason and supervision for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/i-believe-that-it-is-possible-for-one-to-praise-without-concern-any/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Men are always averse to enterprises in which they foresee difficulties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/men-are-always-averse-to-enterprises-in-which-they-foresee/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“He who causes another to become powerful ruins himself, for he brings such a power into being either by design or by force, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/he-who-causes-another-to-become-powerful-ruins-himself-for-he-brings/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [One never finds anything perfectly pure and ... exempt from danger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/one-never-finds-anything-perfectly-pure-and-exempt-from-danger/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) [Explore all 590 Niccolo Machiavelli quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) ## More Able quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [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/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. 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