The phrases "know what to want" and "know what we want" may sound similar, but they have distinct meanings.
"Know what to want": This phrase refers to the ability to determine or understand what desires or preferences are appropriate, suitable, or beneficial for us. It involves having the knowledge or understanding to make informed decisions about what we should aim for or desire in our lives. It implies a level of self-awareness and discernment in choosing our goals or aspirations.
"Know what we want": This phrase simply means being aware of our own desires, preferences, or wishes in a given situation. It is about having a clear understanding of what we currently desire or what our present wants and needs are.
Let's consider the quote in the context of these two phrases: "We can never know what to want, because, living only one life, we can neither compare it with our previous lives nor perfect it in our lives to come."
In this quote, the phrase "know what to want" suggests that due to the limitation of experiencing only one life, we cannot fully comprehend or compare our desires with those we might have had in previous lives or might have in future lives (if such exist). Therefore, it implies that determining the absolute or perfect set of desires becomes an elusive task.
On the other hand, if the quote were to say, "We can never know what we want," it would mean that we are unable to understand our own present desires or preferences, which would be a different concept. The original quote focuses on the difficulty of figuring out what is best to desire, considering the limitations of our single life experience, rather than saying we cannot understand our current desires.
In essence, "know what to want" deals with understanding what desires are appropriate or beneficial for us, while "know what we want" pertains to being aware of our immediate desires and preferences.