Having the fewest wants, I am nearest to the gods.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker claims that having few desires brings them closer to a divine state.
- In plain terms
- Wanting less makes me more like the gods.
- What can you take from it?
- Reduce your wants to find peace.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What would I gain if I wanted less?
- How do my desires shape my life?
Another view
This can dismiss legitimate needs or the value of ambition.
More from Socrates
Often when looking at a mass of things for sale, he would say to himself, 'How many things I have no need of!'
Permalink to quote #22 There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.
Permalink to quote #24 I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance.
Permalink to quote #21
Related quotes
If I were not Alexander, I should wish to be Diogenes.
Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great quote #3 Man wants but little here below, Nor wants that little long.
Oliver GoldsmithOliver Goldsmith quote #34 I hold that to need nothing is divine, and the less a man needs the nearer he does approach divinity.
SocratesSocrates quote #55