What is a disease is wishing with an equal intensity what is needed and what is desirable, and suffer for not being perfect as you would suffer for not having bread. The romantic error is this wanting the moon as if there was a way to get it.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Pessoa defines disease as wanting necessary and desirable things equally, suffering like you would over bread, chasing unattainable ideals.
- In plain terms
- Suffering comes from valuing dreams as much as basic needs.
- What can you take from it?
- Don't treat desires like necessities or you will suffer.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What do you value more, needs or dreams?
- Are you chasing the moon?
Another view
Sometimes chasing dreams is valuable despite the cost.
More from Fernando Pessoa
The beauty of a naked body is felt only by the dressed races.
Permalink to quote #51 I take with me the conscience of defeat as a victory banner.
Permalink to quote #53 The idea of any social obligation [...] just the idea of it embarasses my thoughts for a day, and sometimes it's since the day before that I worry, and don't s…
Permalink to quote #50
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