No, Emily Dickinson did not originally say, ‘The heart wants what it wants.’ This phrase is often attributed to her, but it actually originates from a quote by the American novelist and essayist, Emily Dickinson’s contemporary, who is often misquoted. The phrase has become popular and is frequently used to express the idea that emotions and desires are often beyond our control.
Dickinson’s poetry often explores themes of love, desire, and the human condition, but this specific quote does not appear in her body of work. Instead, Dickinson’s poems convey a nuanced understanding of the heart’s aspirations and complexities, capturing the essence of human longing and emotional depth.