Books Quote by Terri Windling
““I am awfully greedy; I want everything from life," said Simone de Beauvoir. "I want to be a woman and to be a man, to have many friends and to have loneliness, to work much and write good books, to travel and enjoy myself, to be selfish and to be unselfish….You see, it is difficult to get all which I want. And then when I do not succeed I get mad with anger.'' I tend more to frustration than anger, but otherwise I know precisely what de Beauvoir means. I want twenty-four hours more in each day, and nine consecutive lives to live, for I am greedy for life and art as well, with all their occasionally conflicting demands. I want as much time as possible to continue to work hard and learn. I'm greedy for it all.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Art of Living, Simone de Beauvoir, 1972
The quote expresses a yearning for boundless experiences and the tension of wanting contradictory things, highlighting human desire for fullness and the frustration of limits.
In simple terms: Wanting everything creates conflict and frustration.
Key Takeaway
Embrace limits and prioritize.
Themes
desire
conflict
humanity
ambition
balance
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career planning
- creative projects
- personal growth
- time management
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
artistic drive
Questions to Reflect On
- What truly matters most to you?
- How can you reconcile opposing desires?
A Different Perspective
Unlimited desire is impossible; choices cause stress.
