Velleity for Dummies

Velleity is a word that is not commonly used, but it can still be a useful word to understand. If you have a velleity about something, it means that you have a mild wish or desire to do it, but you don't have strong motivation or intention to actually take action. It's like when you say you want to do something, but deep down, you know you're not really going to do it.

Let me give you an example to help clarify things. Imagine you're at a park, and you see a group of kids playing a game of soccer. You might have a velleity to join them, meaning that part of you wants to go over and play, but you don't have a strong enough feeling to actually go join in. So, instead, you just continue watching from a distance.

Just to make sure we're on the same page, let me break it down a bit further. A velleity is like when you have a passing thought or a whim to do something, but it doesn't go beyond that. It's not like a strong desire or a goal that you set for yourself. It's more of a fleeting feeling, and you're not very committed to acting upon it.

So, to summarize, velleity means having a mild wish or desire to do something, but lacking the motivation or intention to actually take action. It's like a passing thought or a whim that doesn't go beyond that. Remember, it's okay to have velleities, but it's important to recognize when you have them and not confuse them with more serious goals or desires.