There is only one thing that a man really wants to do, all his

The words of D. H. Lawrence burn like an eternal flame: “There is only one thing that a man really wants to do, all his life; and that is, to find his way to his God, his Morning Star, salute his fellow man, and enjoy the woman who has come the long way with him.” In this sentence, the poet of passion and earth lays bare the essence of human striving. He reduces the great labyrinth of existence to four pillars—God, fellowship, love, and companionship. Each is bound together, forming not a list of desires but a vision of what it means to live wholly.

First, Lawrence names the longing to find one’s way to God, to the Morning Star. This is the soul’s ancient hunger, the search for meaning, for the eternal source that gives light to all paths. The ancients called it the pursuit of the divine, the ascent of the soul toward its origin. Whether by prayer, meditation, or the work of the hands, this quest has always been the deepest undercurrent of human life. For without the search for the transcendent, all other pursuits crumble into dust.

Next, he speaks of saluting one’s fellow man. Here lies the recognition that no soul walks alone. To live is not to stand apart in pride, but to acknowledge the brotherhood of humanity. The warriors of Sparta saluted one another before battle; the Roman citizens greeted each other in the forum; the wise across ages have taught that honor lies not only in conquest but in respect. To salute one’s fellow is to affirm their dignity, to stand in solidarity, to recognize the shared struggle of existence.

Then comes the heart’s deepest yearning: to enjoy the woman who has come the long way with him. In this phrase, Lawrence crowns his vision with the glory of companionship. This is not the fleeting passion of strangers, nor the superficial glamour of courtship, but the joy of walking side by side through the trials and triumphs of life. The woman who has come the long way is the beloved, the one who endures, who shares the burdens, who becomes the mirror of the soul. To enjoy her presence is not mere pleasure but fulfillment, the flowering of life’s journey into intimacy and trust.

History offers many examples of this triad of devotion, fellowship, and love. Consider Marcus Aurelius, emperor of Rome and philosopher. He sought his God in the form of Stoic wisdom, saluted his fellow men by striving for justice even in power, and cherished his wife Faustina as companion on his arduous path. Though history remembers his empire, his writings reveal the deeper truth: what gave his life meaning was not glory, but alignment with Lawrence’s vision—divinity, fraternity, and enduring love.

Lawrence’s words also carry warning. Many men chase riches, power, and fleeting pleasures, only to find them hollow. The one thing a man really wants is simpler and greater: to unite his soul with the divine, to walk honorably among others, and to share his life with a true companion. To neglect these for worldly distractions is to wander in circles, never finding the path home.

The lesson is clear: seek your God, whatever name you give Him; honor your fellow man, for no one rises alone; cherish the companion who walks with you, for such love is life’s rarest treasure. These are not separate pursuits but threads of a single tapestry. The one who lives them will not be remembered only for achievements, but for having lived fully, deeply, and truly.

Therefore, let all who hear take action: rise each day and seek your Morning Star. Salute those you meet with respect and kindness. Hold fast to the one who walks beside you, through deserts and fields, through sorrow and joy. For in these three—God, humanity, and love—you will find the one great romance of life, durable beyond death, shining like the eternal flame.