Coveting Quote by Thomas Harris
“What does he do, Clarice? What is the first and principal thing he does, what need does he serve by killing? He covets. How do we begin to covet? We begin by coveting what we see every day.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Silence of the Lambs, 1988
The passage explores how desire and envy arise from everyday observations, suggesting that coveting begins with normal, mundane sights.
In simple terms: Coveting starts with noticing daily things.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and question the roots of desire.
Themes
desire
envy
observation
Mood
introspective
analytical
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- marketing
- self‑reflection
- creative writing
- therapy
Key Concepts
psychology
literature
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- What everyday objects trigger your envy?
- Can awareness change your desire?
A Different Perspective
The focus on coveting may ignore altruistic motivations.
![“For He is in the midst of us day and night [in the Blessed Sacrament]; He dwells in us with the fullness of grace and truth. He raises the level of morals, fosters virtue, comforts the sorrowful, strengthens the weak and stirs up all those who draw near to Him to imitate Him, so that they may…” quote by Pope Paul VI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/69e/pope-paul-vi-7633_blessed_for-he-is-in-the-midst-of-us-day-and-nig_2270000.jpg)
![“[T]here is no consensus in the psychiatric community that Dr. Lecter should be termed a man. He has long been regarded by his professional peers in psychiatry, many of whom fear his acid pen in the professional journals, as something entirely Other. For convenience, they term him “monster”.” quote by Thomas Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/37c/thomas-harris-1874_quote_t-here-is-no-consensus-in-the-psychiatri_27085.jpg)
