Quote image editor
“In many cases, we simply do not know what we want, and settle with what seems easiest or most obvious. But even when we are sure of what we want, we cannot be sure that it will be good or better for us. A young woman may dream of studying medicine at Oxford even if realizing her dream would mean getting hit by a bus in three years’ time, or never realizing her far greater potential as a novelist. We should never feel bitter when our desires are frustrated, because we can never be sure that what we wanted would have been good or best for us—and judging by the quality of our lives, we are obviously very bad at wanting.” — Neel Burton
In many cases, we simply do not know what we want, and settle with what seems easiest or most obvious. But even when we are sure of what we want, we cannot be sure that it will be good or better for us. A young woman may dream of studying medicine at Oxford even if realizing her dream would mean getting hit by a bus in three years’ time, or never realizing her far greater potential as a novelist. We should never feel bitter when our desires are frustrated, because we can never be sure that what we wanted would have been good or best for us—and judging by the quality of our lives, we are obviously very bad at wanting.