Wants

Consider the proverb:

 

Anmherffaith pob eisieu.
All is imperfect.

 

I think this is best contemplated as a pair with this one:

 

Gwell anghen na chywilydd
Better want than shame.

The latter is often interpreted as meaning it's better to endure when you have less than to ask for more and (potentially) shame yourself with the appearance of greed.

 

But consider how the meaning changes when you think of it in terms of the first.

 

All is imperfect. Whatever you might want is a thing of the mind. Surely we've all experienced this: a craving or longing that when at last we have it fulfilled doesn't seem as good as we imagined.

 

When I was young, we went to an amusement park. I had recently grown, and found that (just barely) I was tall enough to ride on the rollercoaster. I begged and begged for the price of a ride, even though it was probably the most expensive amusement in the park. I wheedled and bartered away snacks and other rides and at last I stood excitedly in line. When it was my turn, I buckled myself in and waited with every sense aprickle.

 

No doubt you've already guessed: my anticipation was let down by reality. It was fun, but by no means as amazing as I'd imagined - certainly not worth all the effort I'd put into getting this single three minute ride.

 

But of course, it's not merely anticipation that causes problems, but true wants, no matter how weighty or how trivial.

 

Even if someone (even a.god) is moved to try to fill your want there will be imperfections - there will be ways in which what you recieve doesn't quite live up to imaginings - there will be ways in which you are left unsatisfied.

 

When your want is filled, but not perfectly, what then?

 

Better want than shame, surely?