Be careful what you
set your heart upon—
for it will surely be yours.

I write of the wish that comes true—
for some reason,
a terrifying concept.

James Baldwin

James M. Cain

Ambition is a Dead Sea fruit
and the greatest peril to the soul is that
one is likely to get precisely what he is seeking.

Edward Dahlberg

Remember that not getting what you want
is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

The Dalai Lama

The only suitable gift for
the man who has everything
is your deepest sympathy.

Beware, my Lord!
Beware lest stern Heaven hate
you enough to hear your prayers!

Imogene Fey

Anatole France

If a man could have half his wishes,
he would double his troubles.

Benjamin Franklin

Protect me from
what I want.

For what I have received
may the Lord make me truly thankful.
And more truly for what I have not received.

Jenny Holzer

Storm Jameson

When the gods
wish to punish us
they answer our prayers.

There are two tragedies in life.
One is to lose your heart's desire.
The other is to gain it.

Oscar Wilde

George Bernard Shaw

More tears are shed over answered prayers
than unanswered ones.

Mother Teresa

Being frustrated is disagreeable,
but the real disasters in life begin
when you get what you want.

In this world there are
only two tragedies.
One is not getting
what one wants and
the other is getting it.

Irving Kristol

Oscar Wilde

How many of our daydreams would darken into nightmares,
were there any danger of their coming true.

Logan Pearsall Smith