Oh! could I throw aside these earthly bands
That tie me down where wretched mortals sigh--
To read more

Oh! could I throw aside these earthly bands
That tie me down where wretched mortals sigh--
To join blest spirits in celestial lands!

The secret of happiness is to admire without desiring. And that is not happiness.

The secret of happiness is to admire without desiring. And that is not happiness.

We always long for the forbidden things, and desire what is denied us.

We always long for the forbidden things, and desire what is denied us.

Each man has his own desires; all do not possess the same
inclinations.
[Lat., Velle suuum cuique est, read more

Each man has his own desires; all do not possess the same
inclinations.
[Lat., Velle suuum cuique est, nec voto vivitur uno.]

If thou wilt make a man happy, add not unto his riches but take away from his desires.

If thou wilt make a man happy, add not unto his riches but take away from his desires.

It's so much better to desire than to have. . . . The moment of desire, when you know something read more

It's so much better to desire than to have. . . . The moment of desire, when you know something is going to happen -- that's the most exalting.

We are always striving for things forbidden, and coveting those
denied us.
[Lat., Nitimur in vetitum semper, cupimusque read more

We are always striving for things forbidden, and coveting those
denied us.
[Lat., Nitimur in vetitum semper, cupimusque negata.]

If you greatly desire something, have the guts to stake everything on obtaining it.

If you greatly desire something, have the guts to stake everything on obtaining it.

Desire is the very essence of man.

Desire is the very essence of man.