Desire Quote by William B. Irvine
““Throughout the millennia and across cultures, those who have thought carefully about desire have drawn the conclusion that spending our days working to get whatever it is we find ourselves wanting is unlikely to bring us either happiness or tranquility.””
About This Quote
Source Book: A Guide to the Good Life by William B. Irvine, 2009
Chasing desires rarely yields lasting happiness or peace; true contentment comes from managing wants.
In simple terms: Desire chasing rarely brings happiness.
Key Takeaway
Focus on managing desires.
Themes
happiness
desire
contentment
philosophy
Mood
contemplative
calm
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career planning
- financial decisions
- relationship goals
- personal development
Key Concepts
Stoicism
psychology
well‑being
Questions to Reflect On
- What desire dominates you?
- Can you find peace without it?
A Different Perspective
Desire can be a useful motivator.
![“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)
