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In our everyday lives, we often ponder the reasons behind people’s actions. What drives them? What inspires us to act a certain way? Understanding motives can add depth to our interactions and help us navigate relationships more effectively. In this post, we’ll explore various perspectives on motives that prominent thinkers have shared throughout history. From the altruistic to the self-serving, discovering what motivates us can lead to greater empathy and a more fulfilling understanding of human behavior. Let’s dive into the world of motives and learn why they matter.
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What is a Motive?
A motive can be described as the underlying reason or intent that drives a person’s actions or decisions. It serves as the catalyst for behavior, shaping how we engage with others and approach different situations.
Motives can stem from various sources, including personal desires, societal pressures, or moral beliefs. They can be straightforward, like seeking happiness or success, or more complex, such as needing validation or connection.
Understanding one’s own motives, as well as those of others, can lead to clearer communication and healthier relationships.
Motive Quotes that Will Get You to Think
Of course, there are many more quotes about motives than just the following. However, I decided to collect merely those quotes that made me stop and think about my motives or those of others. I excluded those that were harder to reflect on because of their whimsical nature.
1. “What makes life dreary is the want of a motive.” – George Eliot
2. “There are a lot of people who are doing wonderful things, quietly, with no motive of greed, or hostility toward other people, or delusions of superiority.” – Charles Kuralt
3. “Our motive is not to prove our self-worth, but to live up to our possibilities.” – Nathaniel Branden
4. “Every action needs to be prompted by a motive.” – Leonardo da Vinci
5. “The key to motivation is motive.” –Stephen Covey
6. “Cruelty, like every other vice, requires no motive outside of itself; it only requires opportunity.” – George Eliot
7. “It’s motive alone which gives character to the actions of men.” – Jean de la Bruyere
8. “Never assume people’s motives. It’s the easiest way to find yourself upset over nothing or misjudging people.” – LeCrae
9. “Never judge a man’s actions until you know his motives.” – Vikas Swarup
10. “Whenever a man does a thoroughly stupid thing, it is always from the noblest motives.” – Oscar Wilde
11. “I can honestly say that I have never gone into any business purely to make money. If that is the sole motive then I believe you are better off not doing it. A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts.” – Richard Branson
12. “If your motives are high and noble and your work is hard and you do a good job, then whatever the task is in your life, it will benefit you.” – Frederick Lenz
13. “The most heinous and the most cruel crimes of which history has record have been committed under the cover of religion or equally noble motives.” – Mahatma Gandhi
14. “Pure motives do not insure perfect results.” – Christian Nestell Bovee
15. “Never ascribe to an opponent motives meaner than your own.” – James M. Barrie
16. “The beginning of self-knowledge: recognizing that your motives are the same as other people’s.” – Mason Cooley
17. “I keep renaming my motives, but continue doing the same things.” – Mason Cooley
18. “One should guard against preaching to young people success in the customary form as the main aim in life. The most important motive for work in school and in life is pleasure in work, pleasure in its result, and the knowledge of the value of the result to the community.” – Albert Einstein
19. “Selfishness is the grand moving principle of nine-tenths of our actions.” – Francois de La Rochefoucauld
20. “We are all prompted by the same motives, all deceived by the same fallacies, all animated by hope, obstructed by danger, entangled by desire, and seduced by pleasure.” – Samuel Johnson
21. “I believe it is universally understood and acknowledged that all men will ever act correctly, unless they have a motive to do otherwise.” – Abraham Lincoln
22. “If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.” – Mother Teresa
As we wrap up our exploration of motives, it’s clear that they play a crucial role in shaping our behavior and influencing our choices. By reflecting on the motivations behind our own and others’ actions, we can foster more understanding and compassion in our interactions. Whether we aim to inspire change, create connections, or simply gain insight into human nature, recognizing the power of motives is key.
Keep this in mind the next time you find yourself questioning why someone did what they did, and remember that understanding their motive may just be the first step to deeper communication and connection. Happy reflecting!
