He who acts (with an ulterior purpose) does harm; he who…
““He who acts (with an ulterior purpose) does harm; he who takes hold of a thing (in the same way) loses his hold.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Pursuing hidden motives leads to harm; grasping something the same way can cause loss of control.
In simple terms: Hidden motives cause harm and loss.
Act with pure intent and let go of attachment.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- business negotiations
- personal relationships
- political decisions
- creative projects
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What motives drive your actions?
- How can you release attachment without losing purpose?
Pure intentions may be hard to maintain under pressure.