60 Quotes About Motive

The word motivation is often used interchangeably with the word motive. However, there is a difference between them in terms of its meaning. Motivation has a more general meaning and refers to the drive in a person to move forward in a certain direction in order to satisfy a need or desire. In contrast, a motive is more specific and refers to the underlying reason for behaving in a certain way Read more

For example, someone may say that you have good motives when they mean that you have good reasons for what you do.

1
Would you like to know your future? If your answer is yes, think again. Not knowing is the greatest life motivator. So enjoy, endure, survive each moment as it comes to you in its proper sequence -- a surprise. Vera Nazarian
The motive behind criticism often determines its validity. Those who...
2
The motive behind criticism often determines its validity. Those who care criticize where necessary. Those who envy criticize the moment they think that they have found a weak spot. Criss Jami
3
Many people in a rather reckless context claim to 'just tell it like it is'. In actuality, nobody really stresses what one says so much as the motive behind what one says; hence, he is merely blowing hot air and detracting from 'what is'. Criss Jami
In the end, only God can see the heart of...
4
In the end, only God can see the heart of an individual and distinguish the difference between legalistic deadweight and the passion of holy solemnity. Criss Jami
Passion for knowledge, motivation for continuous learning.
5
Passion for knowledge, motivation for continuous learning. Lailah Gifty Akita
6
Constantly stopping to explain oneself may expand into a frustrating burden for the rare individual, so ceasing to do so is like finally dropping the weights and sprinting towards his goals. Those who insincerely misunderstand, who intentionally distort the motives of a pure-intentioned individual, then, no longer have the opportunity to block his path; instead, they are the ones left to stand on the sidelines shouting frustratedly in the wind of his trail. Criss Jami
Whenever we want to combat our enemies, first and foremost...
7
Whenever we want to combat our enemies, first and foremost we must start by understanding them rather than exaggerating their motives. Criss Jami
Trust not in Sprites nor the motivations of a Gnome.
8
Trust not in Sprites nor the motivations of a Gnome. Jefferson Smith
Jealousy is a detestable motive.
9
Jealousy is a detestable motive. Lailah Gifty Akita
I'd rather be befriended as an aimless lost soul than...
10
I'd rather be befriended as an aimless lost soul than be befriended for adornment, gain or goal. Donna Lynn Hope
11
The aim is to love God because the pure heart loves loving God and because the true mind knows He deserves it. Unlike the accusations and beliefs of the critics and skeptics, it is neither an obligation of duty; nor a fear of damnation; nor a wish for power; nor a desire to appear more righteous than others; nor because God needs it; but because through all love, truth, reason, faith, honesty, and joy in and beyond oneself and the universe, He is worthy. Criss Jami
Every soul is a soul. It is the motives, deeds...
12
Every soul is a soul. It is the motives, deeds and actions that define the personality of each soul. Lailah Gifty Akita
13
This history of culture will explain to us the motives, the conditions of life, and the thought of the writer or reformer. Leo Tolstoy
14
God knows the motive of every man. Lailah Gifty Akita
15
We are, or rather our natural desire to evade pain and to attain pleasure is, the primary reason we do or say every single thing we do or say. Mokokoma Mokhonoana
16
The inner thought coming from the heart represents the real motives and desires. Raymond Holliwell
17
You can't be stop. Reach out for your dreams. Lailah Gifty Akita
18
The deeds and motive of man define his personality. Lailah Gifty Akita
19
Holiness has to do with more than mere acts. Our motives must be holy, that is, arising from a desire to do something simply because it is the will of God. Our thoughts should be holy, since they are known to God even before they are formed in our minds. Jerry Bridges
20
When you are worried about thinking why you can't, you are losing the reasons why you should. Ameya Agrawal
21
Education -- whether its object be children or adults, individuals or an entire people, or even oneself -- consists in creating motives. To show what is beneficial, what is obligatory, what is good -- that is the task of education. Education concerns itself with the motives for effective action. For no action is ever carried out in the absence of motives capable of supplying the indispensable amount of energy for its execution. . Simone Weil
22
Bitter people are not interested in what you say, but what you hide. Shannon L. Alder
23
Along with our over-giving is our own conditional giving pattern, which can fuel so much of our resentment and feelings of “victimization” by the people to whom we are giving. We may be completely unaware of our expectations of those we assist, and our own anger and resentment may catch us off guard. This is why our martyrdom is so hard on those around us. They are aware of the price we are exacting, even when we are in denial about our own motives and expectations. . Mary Crocker Cook
24
Where there is desire, the means to fulfill it are endless. A.J. Darkholme
25
I survive at the edge of friends circles. Holly Black
26
Never go to another woman about your woman. Not unless you want an insidious form of advice. Donna Lynn Hope
27
The Maker knows the motives of men's hearts. Lailah Gifty Akita
28
What is strange is that we may remember what we have done, but not always why we did it. Gregory Maguire
29
You may not know my reasons, but you can assume I have them and be kind. Richelle E. Goodrich
30
Statistics show that the nature of English crime is reverting to its oldest habits. In a country where so many desire status and wealth, petty annoyances can spark disproportionately violent behaviour. We become frustrated because we feel powerless, invisible, unheard. We crave celebrity, but that’s not easy to come by, so we settle for notoriety. Envy and bitterness drive a new breed of lawbreakers, replacing the old motives of poverty and the need for escape. But how do you solve crimes which no longer have traditional motives? . Christopher Fowler
31
Men do not become tyrants in order that they may not suffer cold. Aristotle
32
Cyber bullying occurs online daily. Most don't consider their actions or words to be bullying. Here's a few clues that you're a cyber bully.(1) You post information about someone in order to ruin their character.(2) You post threats to someone.(3) You tag someone in vulgar degrading posts.(4) You post any information intended to harm or shame another individual seeking to gain attention. Then, you are a cyber bully and need to get some help. . Amaka Imani Nkosazana
33
You don't just have people who wake up in the morning and say, "What evil things can I do today, because I'm Mr. Evil?" People do things for what they think are justified reasons. Everybody is the hero of their own story, and you have to keep that in mind. If you read a lot of history, as I do, even the worst and most monstrous people thought they were the good guys. We're all very tangled knots. George R.r. Martin
34
There is a rationale for every action. Lailah Gifty Akita
35
The man who pursues moral ends with unmoral means is involved in acontradiction of motives, and nullifies the object at which he aims, since he denies it by his actions. Fredrich Von Bernhardi
36
The truth is, most people who do what you'd call 'wrong' do it for what they call 'right' reasons. Brandon Sanderson
37
The fundamental characteristic of the scientific method is honesty. In dealing with any question, science asks no favors.. I believe that constant use of the scientific method must in the end leave its impress upon him who uses it.. A life spent in accordance with scientific teachings would be of a high order. It would practically conform to the teachings of the highest types of religion. The motives would be different, but so far as conduct is concerned the results would be practically identical. Ira Remsen
38
You are honest enough by nature to be able to see and judge your own self clearly - and that is a great thing. Never lose that honesty, Bobby - always be honest with yourself, know your own motives for what they are, good or bad, make your own decisions firmly and justly - and you will be a fine, strong character, of some real use in this muddled world of ours! Enid Blyton
39
That's how it's always been: I was always in the clear so long as I was truly guilty. But the minute my motives were honest someone would finger me. Nelson Algren
40
Often people that tell others they are "extremely polite" when the situation calls for tact and bluntness are not actually polite people. Instead, they hide behind the word “polite” because they have low self esteem or hidden agendas. Sadly, they impolitely confuse the hell out of everyone, send mixed signals, which then makes people question their sanity and motives. Shannon L. Alder
41
We reflect God's character the most when we give freely of ourselves with no strings attached, no secret motives, no hidden agenda. Craig Groeschel
42
Self-interest lies behind all that men do, forming the important motive for all their actions; this rule has never deceived me Marquis De Sade
43
A man who loves others based solely on how they make him feel, or what they do for him, is really not loving others at all - but loving only himself. Criss Jami
44
An old advertising maxim says you've got to spell out the benefit of the benefit. In other words, people don't buy quarter-inch drill bits. They buy quarter-inch holes so they can hang their children's pictures. Chip Heath
45
Resolutely ignoring Banu's dark mutterings, steeling herself against the barrage of harsh words that questioned her motives, her upbringing, and her morality Thrity Umrigar
46
If I give with the motive to get, regardless of the degree to which that motive besets me, I will walk away impoverished and I will leave those to whom I have given just as impoverished as I have now found myself. Craig D. Lounsbrough
47
I won't sacrifice my characters morals/intentions/motives for the sake of what I believe is right or wrong. If the action fits the character it will be written. That's that. James DeSantis
48
...our monsters walk the dark pathways of secret motives... John Geddes
49
You are people with a present and with a future. Don't muff the ball. Be excellent. Gordon B. Hinckley
50
In every bad situation we have to see Satan’s motives behind a person’s actions Sunday Adelaja
51
It is not always the motives behind an action that make it noble. Sometimes it is as simple as the action itself. Jocelyn Murray
52
Finding this, she was much perplexed as to Henchard's motives in opening the matter at all; for in such cases we attribute to an enemy a power of consistent action which we never find in ourselves or or in our friends... Thomas Hardy
53
Instruction would be wasted on me. Just to give me the form and I'll sign on the dotted line. Evelyn Waugh
54
Discernment is the son of good judgment and the father of self-control. When mixed with an already clear conscience, the ability to read the true motives of a critic keeps one's conscience both clear and at ease. Criss Jami
55
Judge behavior, not motives. Miles Anthony Smith
56
Durkon: You're only saying that because you don't want the world t Rich Burlew
57
When the minds of men slip from realities to fantasies without thinking of the future consequences, then we must ponder. When the hearts of men are entangled with what though might seem great but yet, specious ambitions without pondering over the resulting footprints, then we ought to take precautions. When the hands of men unwittingly and for the sake of self-gratification find the right weapons and dexterity for the wrong purpose, then massacre and cruelties leave indelible footprints of sorrow and bitterness in the hearts of men. We shall always look back to the footprints of yesterday to say had we know if we don’t take a critical look at today’s footsteps. There is always an alternative that is better than good . Ernest Agyemang Yeboah
58
There is no music that can't be used politically, but the motives behind the creation of that music can be non-political. Earle Brown
59
We have nothing less to do than to get inside of whole peoples and change their motives and dispositions. John Raleigh Mott