Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires.

Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires.

A desire presupposes the possibility of action to achieve it; action presupposes a goal which is worth achieving.

A desire presupposes the possibility of action to achieve it; action presupposes a goal which is worth achieving.

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.

Had doting Priam checked his son's desire,
Troy had been bright with fame, and not with fire.

Had doting Priam checked his son's desire,
Troy had been bright with fame, and not with fire.

Do not follow vain desires; for verily he who prospers is preserved from lust, greed and anger.

Do not follow vain desires; for verily he who prospers is preserved from lust, greed and anger.

He that flatters you more than you desire either has deceived you or wishes to deceive.

He that flatters you more than you desire either has deceived you or wishes to deceive.

Desire is the very essence of man.

Desire is the very essence of man.

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.

You will become as small as your controlling desire; as great as your dominant aspiration.

You will become as small as your controlling desire; as great as your dominant aspiration.