Desire Quote by Patrick J. Deneen
““To be free, above all, was to be free from enslavement to one’s own basest desires, which could never be fulfilled, and the pursuit of which could only foster ceaseless craving and discontent.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Why Liberalism Failed, 2011
True freedom means escaping the slavery of our deepest, unfulfillable desires, which only breed endless craving.
In simple terms: Freedom is freedom from unfulfillable desires.
Key Takeaway
Seek contentment over endless desire.
Themes
freedom
desire
contentment
Mood
contemplative
inspirational
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- mindfulness practice
- minimalist lifestyle
- ethical decision making
- personal development
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What desires drive you?
- Can desire be channeled positively?
A Different Perspective
Desires can be motivating, not just harmful.
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
