Desire Quote by Phyllis Bottome
“A desire that has never been fulfilled is considerably less acute than one that has been fulfilled and then checked at the source.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: “The Road to Nowhere” by Phyllis Bottome, 1935
Unfulfilled desires cause less pain than achieving a goal only to lose it, highlighting the paradox of satisfaction and loss.
In simple terms: Getting what you want and losing it hurts more than never having it.
Key Takeaway
Value achievements but prepare for impermanence.
Themes
desire
fulfillment
loss
paradox
impermanence
Mood
reflective
melancholic
insightful
Type
philosophical
personal
motivational
When to use this quote
- career success
- relationship breakups
- personal goals
Key Concepts
psychology
philosophy
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- What achievements have you lost and how did it feel?
- How can you savor success without fearing loss?
A Different Perspective
Success can breed new anxieties; loss may be more painful than longing.
![“Desire is never final, desire is imprecise and impractical [...]” quote by Zadie Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f1d/zadie-smith-584_desire_desire-is-never-final-desire-is-imprecis_433258.jpg)
![“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)
