Than

Correction: it was 'want them to do something' instead. Sorry.

Most people would feel better to know that others want them to do something than that others don't want them to do something.

If that's what you mean, it is OK without the repeated infinitive. (I have taken the liberty of eliminating the 'anyone / them' awkwardness.)

It's not me who used 'anyone' as the subject.

You don't think 'anyone' here works? Or is it just that you think it's more natural?

'Anyone/them' is certainly natural in conversation; it just gives me the creeps when I read it.

The creeps. OH, you hate that anyone that much.

One more thing. If the subject was 'we', should 'people' still be 'others'?

We would feel better to know that people/others want them to do something than that people/others don't want them to do something.

'People' and 'others' have nothing to do with the agreement problem. Now 'we' and 'them' clash in person (1st and 3rd plural), don't they?

Oops! Sorry. I forgot to edit that part. Of course, it has to be:

We would feel better to know that people want us to do something than that people don't want us to do something.


Now, does this one with 'people' work?

Yes, 'people' works. Of course we mean 'other people', but the logic is too subtle for the average speaker.

OK. So both 'people' and 'others' work for the subject 'we' here. Good.

Thanks, MM!