The keener the want the lustier the growth.
—Wendell Phillips (1811–84) American Abolitionist, Social Activist, Lawyer, Orator
Anything you really want, you can attain, if you really go after it.
—Wayne Dyer (b.1940) American Motivational Writer, Author, Motivational Speaker
We never desire strongly, what we desire rationally.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld
I do want to get rich but I never want to do what there is to do to get rich.
—Gertrude Stein (1874–1946) American Writer, Poet
Man is a creation of desire, not a creation of need.
—Gaston Bachelard (1884–1962) French Philosopher, Psychoanalyst, Poet
Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is.
—Vince Lombardi (1913–70) American Sportsperson
Listen to what you know instead of what you fear.
—Richard Bach (b.1936) American Novelist, Aviator
The more wild and incredible your desire, the more willing and prompt God is in fulfilling it, if you will have it so.”
—Coventry Patmore (1823–96) English Poet, Critic
Love Sonnet XI
—Pablo Neruda (1904–73) Chilean Poet, Diplomat, Political leader
Limited in his nature, infinite in his desires.
—Alphonse de Lamartine (1790–1869) French Writer, Poet, Politician, Memoirist
From the desert I come to thee, On a stallion shod with fire; And the winds are left behind In the speed of my desire.
—Bayard Taylor (1825–78) American Poet, Literary Critic, Translator, Translator
The intensity of your desire governs the power with which the force is directed.
—John D. MacDonald (1916–86) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
I respect the man who knows distinctly what he wishes. The greater part of all mischief in the world arises from the fact that men do not sufficiently understand their own aims. They have undertaken to build a tower, and spend no more labor on the foundation than would be necessary to erect a hut.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet, Novelist, Playwright, Philosopher
A desire to be observed, considered, esteemed, praised, beloved, and admired by his fellows is one of the earliest as well as the keenest dispositions discovered in the heart of man.
—John Adams (1735–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
Life contains but two tragedies. One is not to get your heart’s desire; the other is to get it.
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Anceient Greek Philosopher
Ignore what a man desires, and you ignore the very source of his power.
—Walter Lippmann (1889–1974) American Journalist, Political Commentator, Writer
In all ranks of life the human heart yearns for the beautiful; and the beautiful things that God makes are his gift to all alike.
—Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811–96) American Abolitionist, Author
Life is a progress from want to want, not from enjoyment to enjoyment.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist, Biographer, Poet, Writer, Literary Critic
And desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets.
—The Holy Bible
I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do, because I notice it always coincides with their own desires.
—Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906) American Civil Rights Leader
Desire is the essence of a man.
—Baruch Spinoza (1632–77) Dutch Philosopher