Desire Quote by Theodore Roethke
“What is desire?-- The impulse to make someone else complete? That woman would set sodden straw on fire.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Lost Garden" by Theodore Roethke, 1940
Desire is portrayed as a restless drive that seeks fulfillment through others, often leading to destructive or irrational behavior.
In simple terms: Desire pushes us to seek fulfillment through others, sometimes destructively.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and channel desire constructively.
Themes
desire
relationships
self-control
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- creative projects
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
psychology
human motivation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your desire affect those around you?
- Can desire be redirected positively?
A Different Perspective
Desire can become harmful if unchecked.
![“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)
