Logo - Feel The Words

Wanting Quotes

On desire, ambition, and what the word once meant.

These wanting quotes cover early ambition, like growing up set on a creative or scientific path, alongside a more uneasy relationship with wanting attention. Explore our Attention quotes next.

I grew up wanting to entertain.

Quotes by Torrey DeVitto

I can't ever remember not wanting to be a scientist.

Quotes by Steven Squyres

Out of all artists, authors are the least trained for the spotlight. Wanting attention isn't a requisite part of the package.

Quotes by Sloane Crosley

It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you've got.

Quotes by Sheryl Crow

Actor Quotes

My issue isn't about physical aging; my issue is about wanting to remain vigorous and youthful in my spirit.

Quotes by Rob Lowe

Yes, obviously, there's this degree of wanting people to accept other people faiths and philosophies.

Quotes by Ridley Scott

I'm sure that my wanting to be an actor had to do with a need for approval.

Quotes by Paul Rudd

I went from wanting to be a Beatle to becoming a ‘widdly-widdly' guitar player.

Quotes by Paul Gilbert

The will is commendable though the ability may be wanting.

Quotes by Ovid

Always Quotes

It is justice, not charity, that is wanting in the world.

Quotes by Mary Wollstonecraft

Wanting to be a screenwriter is like wanting to be a co-pilot.

Quotes by Marshall Brickman

I'm not really wanting to be famous.

Quotes by Letitia Wright

There's an ancient tension between wanting to savor the world as it is and wanting to improve on the world as given.

Quotes by Leon Kass

I started out wanting to coach football.

Quotes by Lee Majors

Attention Quotes

Everyone can relate to being bullied. Everyone can relate to wanting to fit in and being part of a clique.

Quotes by Lacey Chabert

Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.

Quotes by Kurt Cobain

California is going to take themselves off the cliff culturally and economically, fiscally. They are going to be at the trough in Washington wanting a bailout.

Quotes by Jim DeMint

I'd really been wanting to do a television series. I was looking for a comedy.

Quotes by Jeanne Tripplehorn

We get a lot of overseas people wanting to order cakes.

Quotes by Jane Asher

Ever Quotes

I can't see anybody wanting to go to 'Tank Girl: The Musical!'

Quotes by Jamie Hewlett

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of wanting are covered in this topic?
Mostly early ambition — growing up set on a creative path or a scientific one — alongside a more uneasy relationship with wanting public attention.
Does 'wanting' always mean desire in these quotes?
No, one quote uses the older sense of the word, where wanting means something is lacking, specifically pointing to justice being absent rather than charity.
Is there a quote about not wanting attention?
Yes, one observes that authors specifically are among the least prepared for public attention, suggesting wanting the spotlight isn't a given for every creative field.
Do any quotes describe childhood ambition?
Two do, each recalling a clear, early pull toward entertaining others or pursuing science, framed as something remembered from a very young age.
What's a good next topic after Wanting quotes?
Our Attention quotes follow naturally, since the desire for or discomfort with attention shows up directly in this set.

One quote uses the older meaning of wanting as lacking, giving the topic a second layer beyond simple desire. Pair it with our Actor and Ever quotes.