---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Most of the time, the things that really…"
description: "\"Most of the time, the things that really change the world exist for something fundamentally selfish and then the world-changing ends up being a side-ef..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2cf/andrew-mason-11121_being_most-of-the-time-the-things-that-really_1331063.jpg"
---

#  Most of the time, the things that really change the world…

![“Most of the time, the things that really change the world exist for something fundamentally selfish and then the world-changing ends up being a side-effect of that.” quote by Andrew Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2cf/andrew-mason-11121_being_most-of-the-time-the-things-that-really_1331063.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2cf/andrew-mason-11121_being_most-of-the-time-the-things-that-really_1331063.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2cf/andrew-mason-11121_being_most-of-the-time-the-things-that-really_1331063.jpg)

> “Most of the time, the things that really change the world exist for something fundamentally selfish and then the world-changing ends up being a side-effect of that.”

[Andrew Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mason/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Many world-changing innovations stem from self‑interest, with broader impact emerging unintentionally.

**In simple terms:** Self‑interest can spark global change.

Key Takeaway

Leverage personal motives for societal benefit.

Themes

innovation self‑interest impact unintended consequences

Mood

reflective optimistic

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- startup founding
- philanthropy
- product design
- policy making

Key Concepts

entrepreneurship psychology social dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- What personal motives drive your work?
- How can you align self‑interest with public good?

A Different Perspective

Self‑interest may conflict with ethical considerations.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Change the world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-the-world/) [Changing the world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/changing-the-world/) [Selfish world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish-world/) [Side effects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/side-effects/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/)

## Related quotes

> [You have to understand: the narrative that people have about business and capitalism is that they are fundamentally selfish, greedy, and exploitative. Of course,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mackey/you-have-to-understand-the-narrative-that-people-have-about-business/)

[John Mackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mackey/)

> [You're either selfish, or you're a servant...but fundamentally selfish people are terrible friends, terrible lovers, terrible spouses, terrible Christians, terrible parents. They leave a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-driscoll/you-re-either-selfish-or-you-re-a-servant-but-fundamentally-selfish/)

[Mark Driscoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-driscoll/)

> [“Arts and disciplines of that kind are fundamentally selfish; they’re all designed to benefit the pupil—not the world - "Ishmael”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-quinn/arts-and-disciplines-of-that-kind-are-fundamentally-selfish-they-re/)

[Daniel Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-quinn/)

> [I was loosely aware that most of my characters were fundamentally selfish people, but I didn't intentionally make that a theme.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liza-campbell/i-was-loosely-aware-that-most-of-my-characters-were-fundamentally/)

[Liza Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liza-campbell/)

> [Prayer is less about changing the world than it is about changing ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wolpe/prayer-is-less-about-changing-the-world-than-it-is-about-changing/)

[David Wolpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wolpe/)

> [Poetry can change the world, just like any art can change the world, by changing consciousness. Of course this was the great slogan of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-ferlinghetti/poetry-can-change-the-world-just-like-any-art-can-change-the-world-by/)

[Lawrence Ferlinghetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-ferlinghetti/)

> [Don't underestimate the power of your vision to change the world. Whether that world is your office, your community, an industry or a global…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-hood/don-t-underestimate-the-power-of-your-vision-to-change-the-world/)

[Leroy Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-hood/)

> [In music, which was my world before, you've got thousands and thousands of years of great ideas that have already been thought of. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mason/in-music-which-was-my-world-before-you-ve-got-thousands-and-thousands/)

[Andrew Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mason/)

> [The experience is fundamentally different for buying from local businesses than it is for buying consumer goods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mason/the-experience-is-fundamentally-different-for-buying-from-local/)

[Andrew Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mason/)

> [In the early nineteenth century, the doctrine of self-sufficiency came to apply to families as well as individuals… The familybecame a special protected place,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-keniston/in-the-early-nineteenth-century-the-doctrine-of-self-sufficiency-came/)

[Kenneth Keniston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-keniston/)

> [MOTHER is Beautiful creation, because in this selfish world she is the only one, who always wants ti see you happy..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu/mother-is-beautiful-creation-because-in-this-selfish-world-she-is-the/)

[Ritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu/)

> [If I already know That Truth, so much Selfish the world, so I just refuse to take birth \|](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/if-i-already-know-that-truth-so-much-selfish-the-world-so-i-just/)

MaK\_786

> [In this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-graham-vest/in-this-selfish-world-the-one-that-never-deserts-him-the-one-that/)

George Graham Vest

> [MOST FAITHFUL IN THE WORLD{\_ in this selfish world\_}: MOTHER](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/most-faithful-in-the-world-in-this-selfish-world-mother/)

Mak\_786

> [A person can perhaps trust his eyes only to the amount of truth his heart does not mind to speak openly to the people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anuj/a-person-can-perhaps-trust-his-eyes-only-to-the-amount-of-truth-his/)

[Anuj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anuj/)

## More by Andrew Mason

> [Life is not about money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mason/life-is-not-about-money/)

[Andrew Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mason/)

> [I own over four ties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mason/i-own-over-four-ties/)

[Andrew Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mason/)

> [I find myself using the word 'executives' now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mason/i-find-myself-using-the-word-executives-now/)

[Andrew Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mason/)

> [In the arts they call it plagiarism, in business they call it competition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mason/in-the-arts-they-call-it-plagiarism-in-business-they-call-it/)

[Andrew Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mason/)

> [I don't get stressed out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mason/i-don-t-get-stressed-out/)

[Andrew Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mason/)

> [If you're open with people and provide context for the decisions that your making, customers will stick with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mason/if-you-re-open-with-people-and-provide-context-for-the-decisions-that/)

[Andrew Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mason/)

> [I'm weird. But I'm a pretty serious person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mason/i-m-weird-but-i-m-a-pretty-serious-person/)

[Andrew Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mason/)

> [I think the big thing about Groupon is just people had never seen anything grow quite so fast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mason/i-think-the-big-thing-about-groupon-is-just-people-had-never-seen/)

[Andrew Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mason/)

> [If I told people that I knew what I was doing, nobody would believe me, so why even try and fake it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mason/if-i-told-people-that-i-knew-what-i-was-doing-nobody-would-believe-me/)

[Andrew Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mason/)

> [I'm just not used to talking that much about myself. It feels strange.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mason/i-m-just-not-used-to-talking-that-much-about-myself-it-feels-strange/)

[Andrew Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mason/)

> [If you look at Myspace, Facebook was a better product. It's as simple as that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mason/if-you-look-at-myspace-facebook-was-a-better-product-it-s-as-simple/)

[Andrew Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mason/)

> [You're building a tool, not a piece of art. Don't be blinded by the vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mason/you-re-building-a-tool-not-a-piece-of-art-don-t-be-blinded-by-the/)

[Andrew Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mason/)

> [Flowers are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty out values all the utilities of the world. If dandelions were hard to grow,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mason/flowers-are-a-proud-assertion-that-a-ray-of-beauty-out-values-all-the/)

[Andrew Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mason/)

> [I feel like clout is something that builds up on your teeth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mason/i-feel-like-clout-is-something-that-builds-up-on-your-teeth/)

[Andrew Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mason/)

> [Sainthood emerges when you can listen to someone's tale of woe and not respond with a description of your own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mason/sainthood-emerges-when-you-can-listen-to-someone-s-tale-of-woe-and/)

[Andrew Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mason/)

[Explore all 61 Andrew Mason quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mason/)

## More Being quotes

> [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/)

[Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/)

> [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/)

[Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/)

> [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/)

[Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/)

> [I love being in Malibu. It's so cool there, and the water is just, it's nice and, and I love the beach. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-evancho/i-love-being-in-malibu-it-s-so-cool-there-and-the-water-is-just-it-s/)

[Jackie Evancho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-evancho/)

> [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/)

[Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/)

> [I love to fish. I love the peacefulness of being around the water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evonne-goolagong-cawley/i-love-to-fish-i-love-the-peacefulness-of-being-around-the-water/)

[Evonne Goolagong Cawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evonne-goolagong-cawley/)

> [When you're in your twenties and starting out, the problem is that you care about being cool. Being older, I can care less about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-righton/when-you-re-in-your-twenties-and-starting-out-the-problem-is-that-you/)

[James Righton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-righton/)

> [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/)

[Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/)

> [Being a new mother is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phaedra-parks/being-a-new-mother-is-a-blessing/)

[Phaedra Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phaedra-parks/)

> [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/)

[Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/)

> [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/)

[Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/)

> [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/)

[Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/)

> [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/)

[Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/)

> [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/)

[Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/)

> [We should not live in fear, we should all enjoy being able to express our views freely and openly, challenge each other on issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-cheng-bock/we-should-not-live-in-fear-we-should-all-enjoy-being-able-to-express/)

[Tan Cheng Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-cheng-bock/)

[Browse all 18,139 Being quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Most of the time, the things that really change the world exist for something fundamentally selfish and then the world-changing ends up being a side-effect of that.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Andrew Mason"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mason/most-of-the-time-the-things-that-really-change-the-world-exist-for/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Being"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mason/most-of-the-time-the-things-that-really-change-the-world-exist-for/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2cf/andrew-mason-11121_being_most-of-the-time-the-things-that-really_1331063.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2cf/andrew-mason-11121_being_most-of-the-time-the-things-that-really_1331063.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2cf/andrew-mason-11121_being_most-of-the-time-the-things-that-really_1331063.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Most of the time, the things that really change the world exist for something fundamentally selfish and then…” — Andrew Mason",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Andrew Mason",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mason/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Most of the time, the things...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mason/most-of-the-time-the-things-that-really-change-the-world-exist-for/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mason/most-of-the-time-the-things-that-really-change-the-world-exist-for/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
