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When one does not have what one wants, one must want what one has.
Sigmund Freud
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Appreciate what you have instead of focusing on what you lack.

This quote by Sigmund Freud emphasizes the importance of gratitude and acceptance in the face of unfulfilled desires. It suggests that instead of longing for what is out of reach, one should recognize and value the possessions and experiences that are already present in their life, fostering a mindset of contentment and inner peace.

Themes

GratitudeContentmentAppreciationDesireMindfulness

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about finding happiness, one could cite this quote to emphasize the importance of appreciating what one has.

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"He sido un hombre afortunado en la vida, nada me ha sido facil." "I've been a fortunate man in life, nothing has come easy"
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One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful.
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I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection.
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The tendency to aggression is an innate, independent, instinctual disposition in man... it constitutes the powerful obstacle to culture.
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