--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: All men desire their own perfect…" description: "\"“All men desire their own perfect adjustment, but they desire it, being finite men, on their own terms.”\" — Walter Lippmann" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7dd/walter-lippmann-1083_adjustment_all-men-desire-their-own-perfect-adjustm_873653.jpg" --- # All men desire their own perfect adjustment, but they… ![“All men desire their own perfect adjustment, but they desire it, being finite men, on their own terms.” quote by Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7dd/walter-lippmann-1083_adjustment_all-men-desire-their-own-perfect-adjustm_873653.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7dd/walter-lippmann-1083_adjustment_all-men-desire-their-own-perfect-adjustm_873653.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7dd/walter-lippmann-1083_adjustment_all-men-desire-their-own-perfect-adjustm_873653.jpg) > ““All men desire their own perfect adjustment, but they desire it, being finite men, on their own terms.”” [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People seek personal fulfillment but define it by limited, self‑centered perspectives. **In simple terms:** We want perfection on our own terms. Key Takeaway Recognize broader perspectives. Themes self‑interest perfection limitations Mood reflective critical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal goal setting - leadership decisions - conflict resolution - self‑reflection Key Concepts philosophy psychology subjectivity Questions to Reflect On - How do your personal standards affect others? - Can you broaden your definition of success? A Different Perspective Idealized goals may ignore collective needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) ## Related quotes > [To the perfect, if it be perfect, there is nothing that can be added; therefore, the will is not capable of any other desire,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giordano-bruno/to-the-perfect-if-it-be-perfect-there-is-nothing-that-can-be-added/) [Giordano Bruno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giordano-bruno/) > [“When I woke up enough to know I was still restrained with a long grey rope I was soothed by an onlooker who mopped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-krilanovich/when-i-woke-up-enough-to-know-i-was-still-restrained-with-a-long-grey/) [Grace Krilanovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-krilanovich/) > [“There is desire in the perfect, beauty in the imperfect. Thus I lust over the flawless, and fall amorously forceless to the flawed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilyas-kassam/there-is-desire-in-the-perfect-beauty-in-the-imperfect-thus-i-lust/) [Ilyas Kassam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilyas-kassam/) > [I'm obviously slightly ill, because there is a burning desire to be perfect in me. It's probably the Catholic, or the ex-Catholic in me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dervla-kirwan/i-m-obviously-slightly-ill-because-there-is-a-burning-desire-to-be/) [Dervla Kirwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dervla-kirwan/) > [Perfect Partner is everyone's dream but Perfect partner's desire never perfect, but who are not themselves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/perfect-partner-is-everyone-s-dream-but-perfect-partner-s-desire/) Mak\_786 > [“Why the desire for death. A clean paper or pure white wall. One false line, a scratch, a mistake. Unerasable. So obscureby adding million…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-morrison/why-the-desire-for-death-a-clean-paper-or-pure-white-wall-one-false/) [Jim Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-morrison/) > [I definitely think social media does cause this desire to be perfect. It can make kids feel like they've got quite a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlo-parks/i-definitely-think-social-media-does-cause-this-desire-to-be-perfect/) [Arlo Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlo-parks/) > [“Men, if desire, they don’t need to remove your clothes to rape you. Only their eyes are enough...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepanshu-saini/men-if-desire-they-don-t-need-to-remove-your-clothes-to-rape-you-only/) Deepanshu Saini > [“Men's desire - it stopped for nothing. Even then,even when I was stained the lurid color of waste -- even then someone wanted me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-wareham-leonard/men-s-desire-it-stopped-for-nothing-even-then-even-when-i-was-stained/) Louise Wareham Leonard > [I'm usually attracted to more interesting types of men. I have no desire to be with a cookie-cutter Ken doll.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-parker-kennedy/i-m-usually-attracted-to-more-interesting-types-of-men-i-have-no/) [Jessica Parker Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-parker-kennedy/) > [In men desire begets love, and in women love begets desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/in-men-desire-begets-love-and-in-women-love-begets-desire/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [“Cheating is an innate evolutionarily programmed desire, especially in men, but it is not a desire that cannot be controlled.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/cheating-is-an-innate-evolutionarily-programmed-desire-especially-in/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“Therefore the sage desires what (other men) do not desire, and does not prize things difficult to get; he learns what (other men) do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/therefore-the-sage-desires-what-other-men-do-not-desire-and-does-not/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [The mystical impulse in men is somehow a desire to possess the universe. In women, it's a desire to be possessed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-wilson/the-mystical-impulse-in-men-is-somehow-a-desire-to-possess-the/) [Colin Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-wilson/) > [“Some swore he was a maid in man's attire, For in his looks were all that men desire, A pleasant smiling cheeke, a speaking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-harkness/some-swore-he-was-a-maid-in-man-s-attire-for-in-his-looks-were-all/) [Deborah Harkness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-harkness/) ## More by Walter Lippmann > [The emancipated woman has to fight something worse than the crusted prejudices of her uncles; she has to fight the bewilderment in her own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-emancipated-woman-has-to-fight-something-worse-than-the-crusted/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [Even God has been defended with nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/even-god-has-been-defended-with-nonsense/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [A better distribution of incomes would increase that efficiency by diverting a great fund of wealth from the useless to the useful members of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/a-better-distribution-of-incomes-would-increase-that-efficiency-by/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [There is but one bond of peace that is both permanent and enriching: The increasing knowledge of the world in which experiment occurs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/there-is-but-one-bond-of-peace-that-is-both-permanent-and-enriching/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [Where there is no danger of overt action there is rarely any interference with freedom. That is why there has so often been amazing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/where-there-is-no-danger-of-overt-action-there-is-rarely-any/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-final-test-of-a-leader-is-that-he-leaves-behind-him-in-other-men/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [The simple opposition between the people and big business has disappeared because the people themselves have become so deeply involved in big business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-simple-opposition-between-the-people-and-big-business-has/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [A free press is not a privilege but an organic necessity in a great society. ... A great society is simply a big and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/a-free-press-is-not-a-privilege-but-an-organic-necessity-in-a-great/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [“Since position and contact play so big a part in determining what can be seen, heard, read, and experienced, as well as what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/since-position-and-contact-play-so-big-a-part-in-determining-what-can/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [An alliance is like a chain. It is not made stronger by adding weak links to it. A great power like the United States…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/an-alliance-is-like-a-chain-it-is-not-made-stronger-by-adding-weak/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [The chief element in the art of statesmanship under modern conditions is the ability to elucidate the confused and clamorous interests which converge upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-chief-element-in-the-art-of-statesmanship-under-modern-conditions/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [At the core of every moral code there is a picture of human nature, a map of the universe, and a version of history.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/at-the-core-of-every-moral-code-there-is-a-picture-of-human-nature-a/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [The tendency of the casual mind is to pick out or stumble upon a sample which supports or defies its prejudices, and then to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-tendency-of-the-casual-mind-is-to-pick-out-or-stumble-upon-a/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [There is only one purpose to which a whole society can be directed by a deliberate plan. That purpose is war, and there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/there-is-only-one-purpose-to-which-a-whole-society-can-be-directed-by/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [In a democracy, the opposition is not only tolerated as constitutional, but must be maintained because it is indispensable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/in-a-democracy-the-opposition-is-not-only-tolerated-as-constitutional/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) [Explore all 296 Walter Lippmann quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) ## More Adjustment quotes > [There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party...and it has two right wings: Republican and Democrat. 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And they have attained it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-bennett/the-chances-are-that-you-have-already-come-to-believe-that-happiness/) [Arnold Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-bennett/) > [The biggest adjustment from the minors was learning to spend $45 in meal money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-van-slyke/the-biggest-adjustment-from-the-minors-was-learning-to-spend-45-in/) [Andy Van Slyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-van-slyke/) > [Memory, with its fugitive adjustments, is the merciful veil to the grim enactments of the first law. It hides the anguish in the human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-aumonier/memory-with-its-fugitive-adjustments-is-the-merciful-veil-to-the-grim/) [Stacy Aumonier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-aumonier/) > [Success comes from repeated efforts day in and day out. You learn from your mistakes, make adjustments and continue pressing forward until you achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/success-comes-from-repeated-efforts-day-in-and-day-out-you-learn-from/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [If your plan isn't working, adjust your plan. Never give up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-martin/if-your-plan-isn-t-working-adjust-your-plan-never-give-up/) Matt Martin > [I think I'm constantly in a state of adjustment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-think-i-m-constantly-in-a-state-of-adjustment/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [The terror of the atom age is not the violence of the new power but the speed of man's adjustment to it, the speed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-b-white/the-terror-of-the-atom-age-is-not-the-violence-of-the-new-power-but/) [E. B. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-b-white/) > [I'm intrigued by films that have a singular vision behind them. A lot of studio movies have ten writers by the time they're done.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carla-gugino/i-m-intrigued-by-films-that-have-a-singular-vision-behind-them-a-lot/) [Carla Gugino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carla-gugino/) > [“It is not even governed by ‘nature’. It is simply a natural adjustment! ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/it-is-not-even-governed-by-nature-it-is-simply-a-natural-adjustment/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [Time management is probably the biggest thing I've had to learn to deal with being on the PGA Tour, whether it be media or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rickie-fowler/time-management-is-probably-the-biggest-thing-i-ve-had-to-learn-to/) [Rickie Fowler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rickie-fowler/) > [Game management, game decisions, adjustments, seeing things during games - it's all important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-belichick/game-management-game-decisions-adjustments-seeing-things-during-games/) [Bill Belichick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-belichick/) > [Instead of imposing your will on every situation...focus on including everyone else, and just that little adjustment of attitude gives you the space to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/instead-of-imposing-your-will-on-every-situation-focus-on-including/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [A lot of people just thought I'd be a .260 hitter all my life. I was kind of like, 'Let me make some adjustments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-francoeur/a-lot-of-people-just-thought-i-d-be-a-260-hitter-all-my-life-i-was/) [Jeff Francoeur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-francoeur/) Browse all 391 Adjustment quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“All men desire their own perfect adjustment, but they desire it, being finite men, on their own terms.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Walter Lippmann" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/all-men-desire-their-own-perfect-adjustment-but-they-desire-it-being/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Adjustment" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/all-men-desire-their-own-perfect-adjustment-but-they-desire-it-being/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7dd/walter-lippmann-1083_adjustment_all-men-desire-their-own-perfect-adjustm_873653.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7dd/walter-lippmann-1083_adjustment_all-men-desire-their-own-perfect-adjustm_873653.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7dd/walter-lippmann-1083_adjustment_all-men-desire-their-own-perfect-adjustm_873653.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“All men desire their own perfect adjustment, but they desire it, being finite men, on their own terms.” — Walter Lippmann", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Walter Lippmann", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“All men desire their own perfect...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/all-men-desire-their-own-perfect-adjustment-but-they-desire-it-being/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/all-men-desire-their-own-perfect-adjustment-but-they-desire-it-being/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```