--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Those who restrain desire, do so because…" description: "\"Those who restrain desire, do so because theirs is weak enough to be restrained; and the restrainer or reason usurps its place & governs the unwilling...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1dc/william-blake-397_degrees_those-who-restrain-desire-do-so-because_62665.jpg" --- # Those who restrain desire, do so because theirs is weak… ![“Those who restrain desire, do so because theirs is weak enough to be restrained; and the restrainer or reason usurps its place & governs the unwilling. And being restrain'd it by degrees becomes passive till it is only the shadow of desire.” quote by William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1dc/william-blake-397_degrees_those-who-restrain-desire-do-so-because_62665.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1dc/william-blake-397_degrees_those-who-restrain-desire-do-so-because_62665.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1dc/william-blake-397_degrees_those-who-restrain-desire-do-so-because_62665.jpg) > “Those who restrain desire, do so because theirs is weak enough to be restrained; and the restrainer or reason usurps its place & governs the unwilling. And being restrain'd it by degrees becomes passive till it is only the shadow of desire.” [William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-blake/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Desire is suppressed when it is weak; then reason replaces it, turning the suppressed desire into a mere echo of its former self. **In simple terms:** Weak desire yields to reason, leaving only a shadow. Key Takeaway Unchecked desire becomes a faint echo when overruled by reason. Themes self-control reason desire power dynamics psychology Mood contemplative somber reflective Type philosophical maxim reflection When to use this quote - personal growth - moral decision-making - habit formation - creative block Key Concepts willpower inner conflict autonomy Practical Applications - mindfulness practices - cognitive reframing Questions to Reflect On - How does suppressing desire affect personal agency? - When might restraint become detrimental? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Shadow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shadow/) ## Related quotes > [Those who restrain desire, do so because theirs is weak enough to be restrained.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-blake/those-who-restrain-desire-do-so-because-theirs-is-weak-enough-to-be-2/) [William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-blake/) > [Those who restrain their desires, do so because theirs is weak enough to be restrained.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-blake/those-who-restrain-their-desires-do-so-because-theirs-is-weak-enough/) [William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-blake/) > [“I draw the line at a cell phone. 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Nations are destroyed or flourish in proportion as their poetry, painting, and music are destroyed or flourish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-blake/poetry-fettered-fetters-the-human-race-nations-are-destroyed-or/) [William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-blake/) > [Where any view of money exists, art cannot be carried on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-blake/where-any-view-of-money-exists-art-cannot-be-carried-on/) [William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-blake/) > [God only acts and is, in existing beings or men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-blake/god-only-acts-and-is-in-existing-beings-or-men/) [William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-blake/) > [Kill not the moth nor butterfly, For the Last Judgement draweth nigh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-blake/kill-not-the-moth-nor-butterfly-for-the-last-judgement-draweth-nigh/) [William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-blake/) > [The world of imagination is the world of eternity. 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