the moral worth of an action consists not in the…
““the moral worth of an action consists not in the consequences that flow from it, but in the intention from which the act is done. What matters is the motive, and the motive must be of a certain kind. What matters is doing the right thing because it’s right, not for some ulterior motive.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Moral value lies in the intention behind actions, not merely their outcomes; acting rightly for its own sake is essential.
In simple terms: Good actions depend on pure motives.
Key Takeaway
Act from sincere intention.
Themes
ethics
intention
morality
motivation
principles
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- personal decisions
- leadership
- education
Key Concepts
deontology
virtue ethics
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- What motives drive your daily choices?
- Can outcomes ever justify questionable intentions?
A Different Perspective
Pure intentions can be hard to verify.