A man always has two reasons for doing anything – a good reason and the real reason. John Pierpoint Morgan
It’s motive alone which gives character to the actions of men. Jean de la Bruyere
Never ascribe to an opponent motives meaner than your own. J M Barrie
You will find in politics that you are much exposed to the attribution of false motive. Never complain and never explain. Stanley Baldwin
We are all selfish and I no more trust myself than others with a good motive. Lord Byron
Good and evil, reward and punishment, are the only motives to a rational creature: these are the spur and reins whereby all mankind are set on work, and guided. John Locke
Every major horror of history was committed in the name of an altruistic motive. Ayn Rand
I keep renaming my motives, but continue doing the same things. Mason Cooley
The beginning of self-knowledge: recognizing that your motives are the same as other people’s. Mason Cooley
Whenever a man does a thoroughly stupid thing, it is always from the noblest motives. Oscar Wilde