want / need ?

Question

I am watching "PRISON BREAK" TV series these days.Today, I came across with the following dialog. Here, Michael Scofield is talking to Alexander Mahone.

"You are here because we needed you, not because we wanted you."

Could you please explain this[difference between need and want]? I don't understand it .
As far as I know, both of the highlighted words have the same meaning.

Ilas · Accepted Answer

They need him to be there for a particular reason, not that they want him to be there because they like him. In other words, they don't really want him to be there but they let him to be there because they need him. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/2.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/2.gif' alt='Emotion: big smile'/>

Wilpeter · Answer

Although the basic meaning of the two words is desire, the difference in the case mentioned is that ‘need’ is essential (like air to breathe) and ‘want’ is a preference (like a cool breeze on a hot day).  One needs money to pay the rent but also wants money to take a vacation.

Ravinath · Answer

Thank you wilpeter <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/> I get it now.

Ravinath · Answer

Thank you ilas

want / need ?

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