Find book, FAQ, image, and explanation of quote- People are never satisfied. If they have little, they want more. If they have much, they want still more.
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Meaning
This quote is about the insatiable nature of human desire. It’s the idea that satisfaction is a moving target, not a final destination.
Explanation
It’s like we’re all wired with a kind of, productive discontent. When you have nothing, your goal is to get something. That’s survival. But here’s the kicker, once you get that something, the goalposts move. You want better something. More something.
It’s not a bad thing. This is the engine of ambition, of progress. But if you don’t understand this mechanism, it can consume you. You’re always chasing the next thing, and you never actually stop to feel like you’ve arrived. You have to learn to manage that hunger, to direct it, rather than letting it direct you.
Summary
| Category | Life (34) |
|---|---|
| Topics | contentment (3), desire (4), greed (1) |
| Style | philosophical (44) |
| Mood | realistic (60) |
Origin & Factcheck
| Author | Paulo Coelho (27) |
|---|---|
| Book | The Devil and Miss Prym (3) |
About the Author
Paulo Coelho is a Brazilian novelist known for weaving spirituality and philosophy into stories that feel both magical and real. 165 million copies sold with readers in 80+ languages
Official Website |Facebook | Instagram | YouTube |
Quotation Source:
| People are never satisfied. If they have little, they want more. If they have much, they want still more |
| Publication Year: 2000 (Brazil); ISBN: 978-0-06-052798-3; Latest Edition: HarperCollins 2006; 256 pages. |
| Approximate page 70, Chapter: The Hunger of Desire |
Context
In the book, this isn’t just an observation. It’s the central thesis of a whole moral experiment. A stranger comes to a town and proposes a test, he’ll give them gold bars if they commit a murder. He’s essentially testing this very idea, that people’s desires are infinite and can be manipulated, that they are never truly satisfied with what they have. The quote is the philosophical bedrock of the entire plot.
Usage Examples
- For a marketing team: Our customers are never satisfied. And that’s our job security. We have to keep innovating because the moment they are satisfied, they’ll look elsewhere.
- For a friend burning out: Hey, I see you grinding. Just remember Coelho’s thing about wanting more. It’s okay to hit pause and appreciate what you’ve already built.
- For personal reflection: Ask yourself, “Is my desire for more serving me, or am I just on a hamster wheel?” It’s a powerful check-in question.
To whom it appeals?
| Audience | economists (11), leaders (295), seekers (47), students (437) |
|---|---|
This quote can be used in following contexts: motivational talks,spiritual essays,psychology sessions,social studies
FAQ
Question: Is this quote saying human nature is bad?
Answer: No. It’s a neutral observation. This desire is what builds cities and creates art. The good or bad part comes from our awareness of it and the choices we make.
Question: How is this different from just greed?
Answer: Greed is a specific, often destructive, manifestation. This insatiability is the broader current. It can be channeled into ambition, learning, and growth just as easily as it can into greed.
Question: Can people ever be truly satisfied?
Answer: I believe so, but it’s a conscious practice. Satisfaction isn’t a state you fall into, it’s a decision you make. It’s about appreciating the enough while still pursuing goals. It’s a delicate balance, for sure.