motives

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.

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.

Self-interest lies behind all that men do, forming the important motive for all their actions; this rule has never deceived me

We reflect God's character the most when we give freely of ourselves with no strings attached, no secret motives, no hidden agenda.

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 __olite_ 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.

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.

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!

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.

The truth is, most people who do what you'd call 'wrong' do it for what they call 'right' reasons.

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.

There is a rationale for every action.