Quotes about want
page 43

“[W]hen you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”

Nora Ephron (1941–2012) Film director, author screenwriter

Source: When Harry Met Sally

Life

“Yes, here I am returning, the woman who bore herself to the bottom and back. Who wanted to swim like dolphins, leaping waves and diving. Who wanted only to belong to herself.”

Sue Monk Kidd book The Mermaid Chair

Source: The Mermaid Chair

“I loved him in a way you can really on do the first time around. It's the kind of love that doesn't know better and doesn't want to - it's dizzy and foolish and fierce.”

Jenny Han (1980) American writer

Source: We'll Always Have Summer

Love, Way, Time

“Don’t you, when strangers and friends come to call, straighten the cushions, kick the books under the bed and put away the letter you were writing? How many of us want any of us to see us as we really are? Isn’t the mirror hostile enough?”

Jeanette Winterson (1959) English writer

Hostility, Books

“I want you always to remember me. Will you remember that I existed, and that I stood next to you here like this?”

Haruki Murakami book Norwegian Wood

Source: Norwegian Wood

“I wanted my own words. But the ones I use have been dragged through I don't know how many consciences.”

Jean Paul Sartre book The Wall

Source: The Wall

“It is not desire.
Instead it is something deeper. I don't want to be with him
constantly and forever. I want to be with him for the moment,
and I want the moments to go on forever.”

David Levithan The Realm of Possibility

Source: The Realm of Possibility

“I’m not sure what I’ll do, but— well, I want to go places and see people. I want my mind to grow. I want to live where things happen on a big scale.”

F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896–1940) American novelist and screenwriter

Source: The Ice Palace and Other Stories

People

“If you want things to be different, perhaps the answer is to become different yourself.”

Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) American writer

“There are some battles, no matter how much you don’t want to fight them, that you just have to fight. That are worth giving your life for.”

Paullina Simons book The Bronze Horseman

Source: The Bronze Horseman

Life, Fight

“I don’t want to be
one of those easily forgotten people, so important at the time, so special, so
influential, and so treasured, yet years later just a vague face and a distant
memory.”

Cecelia Ahern book Love, Rosie

Variant: I don’t want to be one of those easily forgotten people, so important at the time, so special, so influential, and so treasured, yet years later just a vague face and a distant memory. I want us to be best friends forever
Source: Love, Rosie

People, Distant, Memory, Time

“We colour and mould according to the wants within us whatever our eyes bring in.”

Thomas Hardy book Far from the Madding Crowd

Source: Far from the Madding Crowd

“Someday I want to be rich. Some people get so rich they lose all respect for humanity. That's how rich I want to be.”

Rita Rudner (1953) American comedian

People

“When you grow up and have children of your own, do please remember something important: A stodgy parent is not fun at all! What a child wants - and DESERVES - is a parent who is SPARKY!”

Roald Dahl book Danny, the Champion of the World

Danny, the Champion of the World (1975)
Context: A Message to Children Who Have Read This Book - When you grow up and have children of your own, do please remember something important: a stodgy parent is no fun at all. What a child wants and deserves is a parent who is SPARKY.

Children, Parent

“I am sure that if the devil existed, he would want us to feel very sorry for him.”

Martha Stout (1953) American psychologist

Source: The Sociopath Next Door

Feeling

“Not really, but after that I think about how I could kill him while he slept if I really wanted to, and then I feel better.”

Cassandra Clare book Clockwork Angel

Source: Clockwork Angel

Feeling, Thinking

“So I'm scared, because you're not just not human, you're not like anyone…. there's nobody like you in all the world and it's you I want. I want you and I hate wanting things and I especially hate admitting I want them.”

Holly Black book The Coldest Girl in Coldtown

Source: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown

Hate, World

“Things change whether you want them to, or not--unless you are dead. Don't hold so hard to the past that you die with it.”

Patricia Briggs book River Marked

Source: River Marked

Change, Past, Dead

“Rose, I cheat at cards and buy liquor for minors. But I would never, ever force you into something you don't want.”

Richelle Mead book Spirit Bound

Source: Spirit Bound

Cheating

“We all wanted what we wanted, and when the Lord fulfilled HIS purpose rather than ours, we struck out against him. In anger. In disappointment. Yet, it is God's will that prevails.”

Francine Rivers book An Echo in the Darkness

Source: An Echo in the Darkness

God, Disappointment, Anger

“You play along, because you want to die for love, you always have.”

Richard Siken (1967) American poet

Love

“You look hot. The straight men will want you, the gay men will want beauty tips, and the women will want to scratch your eyes out. If that isn't the stuff of fairy tales, I don't know what is.”

Zoey Dean (1950) American writer

Source: How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls

Women, Men, Beauty

“It's not fair."

"It's not. But then, that's the game. It makes life great. The fact that it ends when we don't want it to. The ending gives it meaning.”

Marisha Pessl (1977) American writer

Source: Night Film

Life, Game

“Kyle want to be a rockstar. I think hes working the one-name thing. Like Rihanna."
"I have no idea what you're talking about.”

Cassandra Clare (1973) American author

Idea, Thinking

“I don't want to die!"
"Then you should never been born.”

Christopher Pike (1954) American author Kevin Christopher McFadden

Source: Black Blood

“People don't get it. He didn't even have a fuckin' map; what kind of idiot? THAT was the point. There's no blank spots on the map anymore, anywhere on earth. If you want a blank spot on the map, you gotta leave the map behind.”

Jon Krakauer (1954) American outdoors writer and journalist

People

“For a moment the garden, the noise, the stentch of blood and demon, vanished away, and he was alone in a soundless place with only Tessa. He wanted to run to her, wrap her in his arms. Protect her.

But it was Jem's place to do those things, not his.”

Cassandra Clare book Clockwork Princess

Source: Clockwork Princess

“Women don't want to hear what you think. Women want to hear what they think - in a deeper voice.”

Bill Cosby (1937) American actor, comedian, author, producer, musician, activist

Women, Thinking

“Perhaps - I want the old days back again and they'll never come back, and I am haunted by the memory of them and of the world falling about my ears.”

Margaret Mitchell book Vom Winde verweht (1937 German edition)

Source: Gone with the Wind

World, Memory

“Words never mean what we want them to mean.”

Jonathan Safran Foer book Everything Is Illuminated

Source: Everything Is Illuminated (2002)

“But all she wanted to do was lie in bed, eat Kraft macaroni and cheese, and hide from the alligators.”

Rebecca Wells book Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

Source: Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

Lie

“Sometimes it's hard when you want to be like someone but you don't know how.”

Cassandra Clare book City of Heavenly Fire

Source: City of Heavenly Fire

“Whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it's because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It's your mission on earth.”

Paulo Coelho book The Alchemist

Source: The Alchemist

Soul, Universe

“I want to know if you can see beauty even when it’s not pretty, every day, and if you can source your own life from its presence.”

Oriah Mountain Dreamer (1954) Canadian author

Life, Beauty

“In most cases, those who want power probably shouldn't have it, those who enjoy it probably do so for the wrong reasons, and those who want most to hold on to it don't understand that it's only temporary.”

John C. Maxwell (1947) American author, speaker and pastor

Source: Becoming a Person of Influence: How to Positively Impact the Lives of Others

Understanding

“I’d bet the leeches are looking for me. Because I glow and I’m wicked smart. They probably want to breed with me.” (Regin)”

Kresley Cole American writer

Source: Pleasure of a Dark Prince

“Here is my experience. Stay away from the ones you love too much. Those are the ones who will kill you. What you want to live and be happy in the world is a woman who has her own life and lets you have yours.”

Donna Tartt book The Goldfinch

Source: The Goldfinch

Love, Life, Happiness, World

“People left him alone. And that was all he wanted.”

Patrick Süskind (1949) German writer and screenwriter

Source: Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

People

“No matter what challenging situation you may find yourself in, imagine the best outcome of it and feel it! When you do, you will change the circumstances, and you will change the situation into what you want!”

Rhonda Byrne (1951) Australian writer and producer

Feeling, Imagination, Change

“What did Isabelle want?" Jace asked.
Alec hesitated. "Isabelle says the Queen of the Seelie Court has requested an audience with us."
"Sure," said Magnus. "And Madonna wants me as a backup dancer on her next world tour.”

Cassandra Clare book City of Ashes

Source: City of Ashes

World

“Should I ask about the handcuffs? (Tate)
Not unless you want to live… otherwise if anyone asks, tell them I died of a heart attack during a wild sexcapade with her. (Kyrian)”

Sherrilyn Kenyon book Night Pleasures

Source: Night Pleasures

Heart

“Why'd you want to sing about sad things?" Candy had asked him.
"Because any fool can be happy," he'd said to her.
"It takes a man with real heart"
—he'd made a fist and laid it against his chest—
"to make beauty out of the stuff that makes us weep.”

Clive Barker Days of Magic, Nights of War

Source: Days of Magic, Nights of War

Happiness, Sadness, Beauty, Fools

“You're drunk, and I'm drunk, and I'm just exactly drunk enough to tell you anything you want to know. That's the kind of girl I am. If I like a person, I'll tell them anything they want to know. Just ask me. Go ahead, ask me.”

Dashiell Hammett book Red Harvest

Source: Red Harvest

Girl, Personality

“We can't know or say what other people do. have to think whatwant to do to get the situation where you want it to be.”

E. Lockhart (1967) American writer of novels as E. Lockhart (mainly for teenage girls) and of picture books under real name Emily J…

Source: The Boy Book: A Study of Habits and Behaviors, Plus Techniques for Taming Them

People, Thinking

“Clary: Now that I'm in your mind, want to see some mental pictures of Jace?
Simon: I heard that and NO… You've seen him naked?
Clary: Well not entirely but-
Simon: Enough”

Cassandra Clare The City of Lost Souls

Source: City of Lost Souls

“Clary - "Look you can date whoever you want and I will totally support you. I am all about support. Support is my middle name."

Simon- "So that's why you never told me your middle name. I figured it was something embarrasing.”

Cassandra Clare book City of Glass

Variant: Look, you can date whoever you want and I will totally support you. I am all about support. Support is my middle name.”
“So that’s why you never told me your middle name. I figured it was something embarrassing.
Source: City of Glass

Support

“The person who wants out of the relationship always gets her way.”

Emily Giffin (1972) American writer

Source: Something Blue

Way, Personality

“I just want to be able to stand up straight for a little while before I get cut down.”

Henry Rollins (1961) American singer-songwriter

Source: Solipsist

“When I sleep, I dream of you, and when I wake, I long to hold you in my arms. If anything, our time apart has only made me more certain that I want to spend my nights by your side, and my days with your heart.”

Nicholas Sparks book Nights in Rodanthe

Paul Flanner, Chapter 16, p. 188
Source: 2000s, Nights in Rodanthe (2002)

Dreams, Sleep, Time, Heart

“Well, that depends, I suppose. I heard someone once say that men dance the same way they have sex. So, if you want everyone here to think you're the kind of guy who just sits around and—"
He stood up. "Let's dance.”

Richelle Mead (1976) American writer

Source: Succubus Blues

Men, Sex, Way, Guy

“I just thought I was empty and now I'm being filled… and I just wanted to keep being filled.”

Laura Hillenbrand book Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

Source: Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

“I'll never stop wanting to kiss you," he whispered.”

Elizabeth Chandler (1954) writer

Source: No Time to Die & The Deep End of Fear

Kiss

“If this was my forever, I wouldn't want to spend it here.”

Sarah Dessen book The Truth About Forever

Source: The Truth About Forever

“I want to talk to you and be random with you and be ridiculous with you.”

David Levithan Boy Meets Boy

Source: Boy Meets Boy

“If the world is ending, a woman will want time to fix her hair. If the world's ending, a woman will take time to to tell a man something he's done wrong.”

Robert Jordan (1948–2007) American writer

Matrim Cauthon
(15 October 1994)
Source: The Wheel of time series by Robert Jordan

World, Time

“Nobody has a perfect life and it's entirely possible that if you want someone else's life they are busy wanting someone else's too–maybe even yours.”

Joyce Meyer (1943) American author and speaker

Life, Business, Perfection

“I have friends. I want more from you than that. I’m a selfish guy, Jane. If I can’t be your lover, if I can’t have all of you, then I don’t want anything.”

Rachel Gibson (1961) American writer

Source: See Jane Score

Guy, Lovers, Selfishness

“If you don't want to be a victim, don't act like one.”

Ally Carter (1974) American writer

Source: Perfect Scoundrels

“I don't want to be your friend, baby. I am your friend.”

Ernest Hemingway book A Farewell to Arms

Source: A Farewell to Arms

Baby

“I don't want to make the same mistake twice. I don't want to tell myself it's over when it's not.”

Jodi Picoult My Sister's Keeper

Source: My Sister's Keeper

“Your being born makes your parents God. You owe them your life, and they can control you. Then puberty makes you Satan, just because you want something better.”

Chuck Palahniuk book Invisible Monsters

Source: Invisible Monsters

Life, God, Parent

“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late to be whoever you want to be. I hope you live a life you’re proud of, and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.”

Eric Roth (1945) American screenwriter

Source: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Screenplay

Life, Hope

“"Don't you want to join us?" I was recently asked by an acquaintance when he ran across me alone after midnight in a coffeehouse that was already almost deserted. "No, I don't," I said.”

Franz Kafka (1883–1924) author

(June 1914)
The Diaries of Franz Kafka 1910-1923 (1948)
Source: Diaries of Franz Kafka

“Grandmothers in Botswana tell their children that if you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, you must go together.”

Jodi Picoult (1966) Author

Source: Leaving Time

Children

“Yesterday I wanted to turn inside out.”

Jonathan Safran Foer book Tree of Codes

Source: Tree of Codes

“Okay, gimmi a kiss and I’ll go. (Simi)
Not in front of the Hunter, Simi. (Acheron)
The Simi wants a kiss, akri. I’ll wait all century. You know I will. (Simi)”

Sherrilyn Kenyon (1965) Novelist

Source: A Dark-Hunter Christmas

Kiss, Waiting

“The only one," he murmured. His chin dipped a little bit. "You know that, Dru? You're the only person who's ever believed in me. You know what that'll do to a guy?"

What?"I-"

"It makes him want to live up to it.”

Lilith Saintcrow (1976) American writer

Source: Reckoning

Guy, Personality

“So we contemplate each other, and we want each other, and I give it life and warmth, and it gives me my reason for living.”

Paulo Coelho book The Alchemist

Source: The Alchemist

Life

“You don't ever want to be the wife who keeps her husband from playing poker - you don't ever want to be the shrew with the curlers and the rolling pin. So you swallow your disappointment and say okay.”

Gillian Flynn book Gone Girl

Source: Gone Girl

Disappointment

“So many old and lovely things are stored in the world's attic because we don't want them around us and we don't dare throw them out.”

John Steinbeck book The Winter of Our Discontent

Source: The Winter of Our Discontent

Love, World

“Eat till you're full. Play anytime you want. Sleep as much as you like. Cry. Get angry. Laugh. Live. Live. Live.”

Kazuya Minekura (1975) Japanese manga artist

Sleep, Cry

“Try it. You don't have to do it ever again if you don't want to. But try it once. Try everything once.”

Melvin Burgess (1954) British children's writer

“How you're still always trapped.

How your head is the cave, your eyes the cave mouth. How you live inside your head and only see what you want. How you only watch the shadows and make up your own meaning.”

Chuck Palahniuk book Diary

Source: Diary

“I don't do what I'm told, but I might do what you want if you ask me nicely.”

Cassandra Clare book City of Ashes

Source: City of Ashes

“The things that go unsaid are often the things that eat at you--whether because you didn't get to have your say, or because the other person never got to hear you and really wanted to.”

Celeste Ng book Everything I Never Told You: A Novel

Source: Everything I Never Told You

Personality

“It is a queer and fantastic world. Why can't people have what they want? The things were all there to content everybody; yet everybody has got the wrong thing. Perhaps you can make head or tail of it; it is beyond me.”

Ford Madox Ford book The Good Soldier

Part Four, Ch. V (pp. 237-238)
Source: The Good Soldier (1915)
Context: It is a queer and fantastic world. Why can't people have what they want? The things were all there to content everybody; yet everybody has got the wrong thing. Perhaps you can make head or tail of it; it is beyond me.
Is there any terrestrial paradise where, amidst the whispering of the olive-leaves, people can be with whom they like and have what they like and take their ease in shadows and in coolness? Or are all men's lives like the lives of us good people — like the lives of the Ashburnhams, of the Dowells, of the Ruffords — broken, tumultuous, agonized, and unromantic lives, periods punctuated by screams, by imbecilities, by deaths, by agonies? Who the devil knows?

People, World

“Reality means you live until you die… the real truth is nobody wants reality.”

Chuck Palahniuk book Survivor

Source: Survivor

Truth, Reality

“If you ask me what I want, I'll tell you. I want everything.”

Kathy Acker (1947–1997) American novelist, playwright, essayist, and poet

“All of life, I wanted to tell him, is in our minds. Where else does it take place, where else do we add up what it means to us and subtract what we have lost? An event is just an event until some person attaches meaning to it.”

Robin Hobb book Fool's Fate

Source: Fool's Fate

Life, Personality

“Like anybody, I would like to have a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will.”

Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–1968) American clergyman, activist, and leader in the American Civil Rights Movement

Life, God

“You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should have behaved better.”

Anne Lamott (1954) Novelist, essayist, memoirist, activist

Variant: You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should've behaved better.
Source: Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

People, Motivational

“Buy what you don’t have yet, or what you really want, which can be mixed with what you already own. Buy only because something excites you, not just for the simple act of shopping.”

Karl Lagerfeld (1933–2019) German fashion designer

“I stand up and walk towards her because my days of waiting for more are over. If I want more, I need to go and get it, demand it, take hold of it with all my might, and do the best I can with it.”

Melina Marchetta book On the Jellicoe Road

Source: On the Jellicoe Road

Waiting

“stories make you think and dream; books make you want to ask questions”

Michael Morpurgo (1943) British children's writer

Source: I Believe in Unicorns

Books, Dreams, Question, Thinking

“It seems that what I really want is a drug that will increase my consciousness of others, not myself.”

Jerzy Kosiński book The Painted Bird

Source: The Painted Bird

“Look, I didn't want to be a half-blood.”

Rick Riordan book The Lightning Thief

Source: The Lightning Thief

“There," she said. She rocked him back and forth. "There, you foolish, beautiful boy who wants to change the world. There, there. And who could keep from loving you? Who could keep from loving a boy so brave and true?”

Kate DiCamillo The Magician's Elephant

Source: The Magician's Elephant

Love, World, Beauty, Boy

“How does one become a butterfly?" she asked.
"You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.”

Trina Paulus Hope for the Flowers

Variant: How does one become a butterfly? They have to want to learn to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.
Source: Hope for the Flowers

Flying

“Never say no when you really want to say yes.”

Jenny Han book Always and Forever, Lara Jean

Source: Always and Forever, Lara Jean