--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Fear and greed are potent motivators…" description: "\"Fear and greed are potent motivators. When both of these forces push in the same direction, virtually no human being can resist.\" — Andrew Weil" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f0/andrew-weil-3294_fear_fear-and-greed-are-potent-motivators-whe_3096397.png" --- # Fear and greed are potent motivators. When both of these… ![“Fear and greed are potent motivators. When both of these forces push in the same direction, virtually no human being can resist.” quote by Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f0/andrew-weil-3294_fear_fear-and-greed-are-potent-motivators-whe_3096397.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f0/andrew-weil-3294_fear_fear-and-greed-are-potent-motivators-whe_3096397.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f0/andrew-weil-3294_fear_fear-and-greed-are-potent-motivators-whe_3096397.png) > “Fear and greed are potent motivators. When both of these forces push in the same direction, virtually no human being can resist.” [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Strong emotions like fear and greed can drive behavior powerfully, especially when aligned, making resistance difficult. **In simple terms:** Fear and greed together push people strongly. Key Takeaway Recognize and balance these forces. Themes motivation psychology behavior ethics Mood cautious reflective Type advice observational When to use this quote - marketing - political campaigns - personal finance - risk taking Key Concepts emotional drivers human nature self‑control Questions to Reflect On - How do you channel fear or greed constructively? - When might these motivators backfire? A Different Perspective Over‑reliance can lead to reckless choices. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Greed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greed/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) ## Related quotes > [Fear and greed tend to affect one's judgement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-schloss/fear-and-greed-tend-to-affect-one-s-judgement/) [Walter Schloss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-schloss/) > [“Fear, greed, and ego are very expensive monkeys to have on your back while trading.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-burns/fear-greed-and-ego-are-very-expensive-monkeys-to-have-on-your-back/) [Steve Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-burns/) > [“reactions and think. That is important. We will always have emotions of fear and greed. From here on in, it’s imperative for you to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-t-kiyosaki/reactions-and-think-that-is-important-we-will-always-have-emotions-of/) [Robert T. Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-t-kiyosaki/) > [I love the competitive part of stocks. A lot of fear and greed, that's all it is. All I see is green and red.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-brolin/i-love-the-competitive-part-of-stocks-a-lot-of-fear-and-greed-that-s/) [Josh Brolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-brolin/) > [During periods of extreme fear or greed, you don't have the proper balance between those two to generate market efficiency and you get extremes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lo/during-periods-of-extreme-fear-or-greed-you-don-t-have-the-proper/) [Andrew Lo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lo/) > [Three great forces rule the world: stupidity, fear and greed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/three-great-forces-rule-the-world-stupidity-fear-and-greed/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Dramatic and emotional trading experiences tend to be negative. Pride is a great banana peel, as are hope, fear, and greed. My biggest slip-ups…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-seykota/dramatic-and-emotional-trading-experiences-tend-to-be-negative-pride/) [Ed Seykota](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-seykota/) > [“occasional outbreaks of those two super-contagious diseases, fear and greed, will forever occur in the investment community. The timing of these epidemics will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-pecaut/occasional-outbreaks-of-those-two-super-contagious-diseases-fear-and/) [Daniel Pecaut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-pecaut/) > [Fear, greed and hope have destroyed more portfolio value than any recession or depression we have ever been through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-o-shaughnessy/fear-greed-and-hope-have-destroyed-more-portfolio-value-than-any/) [James O'Shaughnessy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-o-shaughnessy/) > [“People’s lives are forever controlled by two emotions: fear and greed. Offer them more money and they continue the cycle by increasing their spending.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-t-kiyosaki/people-s-lives-are-forever-controlled-by-two-emotions-fear-and-greed-2/) [Robert T. Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-t-kiyosaki/) > [“Autumn is always a time of Fear and Greed and Hoarding for the winter coming on. Debt collectors are active on old people and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/autumn-is-always-a-time-of-fear-and-greed-and-hoarding-for-the-winter/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [People's lives are forever controlled by two emotions: fear and greed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/people-s-lives-are-forever-controlled-by-two-emotions-fear-and-greed/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [While neurological studies have tried to identify components responsible for fear and greed, the impact on finance is less clear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lo/while-neurological-studies-have-tried-to-identify-components/) [Andrew Lo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lo/) > [Fear and greed are probably the worst emotions to have in connection with the purchase and sale of stocks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-schloss/fear-and-greed-are-probably-the-worst-emotions-to-have-in-connection/) [Walter Schloss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-schloss/) > [... Don't mistake any of this for altruism...Fear and greed just doesn't work. If you want to be successful, quality and service just works…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-ellison/don-t-mistake-any-of-this-for-altruism-fear-and-greed-just-doesn-t/) [Larry Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-ellison/) ## More by Andrew Weil > [Low levels of vitamin D in the population as a whole suggest that most people need to take a vitamin D supplement. This may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/low-levels-of-vitamin-d-in-the-population-as-a-whole-suggest-that/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [While sleep is clearly vital to emotional well-being, what is it, exactly, about sleep that is so necessary? As it turns out, mood disorders…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/while-sleep-is-clearly-vital-to-emotional-well-being-what-is-it/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [I believe that it may be normal, healthy, and even productive to experience mild to moderate depression from time to time as part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/i-believe-that-it-may-be-normal-healthy-and-even-productive-to/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [Insurance companies, whether private or government owned, must be compelled to pay for health-promoting measures. In turn, this will encourage physicians to offer such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/insurance-companies-whether-private-or-government-owned-must-be/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [Studies have shown that people who are physically active sleep better than those who are sedentary. The more energy you expend during the day,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/studies-have-shown-that-people-who-are-physically-active-sleep-better/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [The most common objection that I hear to walking as exercise is that it's too easy, that only sweaty, strenuous activity offers real benefits.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/the-most-common-objection-that-i-hear-to-walking-as-exercise-is-that/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [In Europe, when tobacco was first introduced, it was immediately banned. In Turkey, if you got caught with tobacco, you had your nose slit.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/in-europe-when-tobacco-was-first-introduced-it-was-immediately-banned/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [My personal opinion is that the neutral position on the mood spectrum—what I called emotional sea level—is not happiness but rather contentment and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/my-personal-opinion-is-that-the-neutral-position-on-the-mood-spectrum/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [Technology has a shadow side. It accounts for real progress in medicine, but has also hurt it in many ways, making it more impersonal,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/technology-has-a-shadow-side-it-accounts-for-real-progress-in/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [The notion that a human being should be constantly happy is a uniquely modern, uniquely American, uniquely destructive idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/the-notion-that-a-human-being-should-be-constantly-happy-is-a/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [If I had to limit my advice on healthier living to just one tip, it would be simply to learn how to breathe correctly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/if-i-had-to-limit-my-advice-on-healthier-living-to-just-one-tip-it/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [The essence of health is inner balance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/the-essence-of-health-is-inner-balance/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [Even low-calorie diets and vigorous exercise fail to work in the long term for at least some people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/even-low-calorie-diets-and-vigorous-exercise-fail-to-work-in-the-long/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [American businesses are struggling to pay outrageous, exploitive insurance bills for their employees, hampering our ability to compete globally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/american-businesses-are-struggling-to-pay-outrageous-exploitive/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [Routines may include taking a warm bath or a relaxing walk in the evening, or practicing meditation/relaxation exercises. Psychologically, the completion of such a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/routines-may-include-taking-a-warm-bath-or-a-relaxing-walk-in-the/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) [Explore all 134 Andrew Weil quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) ## More Fear quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [“That horrible stinging sensation returned, the muscles behind my eyes straining as the first tear began to fall. “I’m scared, too. For eighteen months…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devon-ashley/that-horrible-stinging-sensation-returned-the-muscles-behind-my-eyes/) [Devon Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devon-ashley/) > [“...Often that which most we fear births the resolve that spurs us on to altitudes we could not have achieved, had we continued walking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-t-anderson/often-that-which-most-we-fear-births-the-resolve-that-spurs-us-on-to/) [M.T. Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-t-anderson/) > [What an incredible drug fear is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/what-an-incredible-drug-fear-is/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“Anything that you find yourself worrying about regularly may find you suddenly wanting unrealistic changes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nagisa-tatsumi/anything-that-you-find-yourself-worrying-about-regularly-may-find-you/) Nagisa Tatsumi > [“We all know how the thing we secretly fear is not a secret at all but the open and eternal thing that predicts its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-delillo/we-all-know-how-the-thing-we-secretly-fear-is-not-a-secret-at-all-but/) [Don DeLillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-delillo/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [“I had nowhere to go and did not wish to be seen by anyone for fear they would recognize my sadness and so for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dewitt/i-had-nowhere-to-go-and-did-not-wish-to-be-seen-by-anyone-for-fear/) [Patrick deWitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dewitt/) > [It's easier to change a law than an age-old mentality. Deep down, many prejudices, many hostilities, many fears persist. But if we take a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dacia-maraini/it-s-easier-to-change-a-law-than-an-age-old-mentality-deep-down-many/) [Dacia Maraini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dacia-maraini/) > [“Snip off the little worries and expressions of worry” like little branches atop a tall tree.28 If you are truly worried, sharing your concerns…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-sanders/snip-off-the-little-worries-and-expressions-of-worry-like-little/) [Tim Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-sanders/) > [“Fear and desire for pleasure. Aggressiveness comes out of fear, predominantly, and sexuality predominantly out of the other. But they mix in the middle.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-french/fear-and-desire-for-pleasure-aggressiveness-comes-out-of-fear/) [Marilyn French](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-french/) > [“Carrie Fisher. “Stay afraid, but do it anyway.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-union/carrie-fisher-stay-afraid-but-do-it-anyway/) [Gabrielle Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-union/) > [“Yes, the issue was courage. It always had been, even as a kid. Things scared him. He couldn't help it. Noise scared him, dark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-o-brien/yes-the-issue-was-courage-it-always-had-been-even-as-a-kid-things/) [Tim O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-o-brien/) > [Don't be afraid of hard work. Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Don't let others discourage you or tell you that you can't do it. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-b-elion/don-t-be-afraid-of-hard-work-nothing-worthwhile-comes-easily-don-t/) [Gertrude B. Elion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-b-elion/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) [Browse all 35,569 Fear quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Fear and greed are potent motivators. When both of these forces push in the same direction, virtually no human being can resist.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Andrew Weil" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/fear-and-greed-are-potent-motivators-when-both-of-these-forces-push/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fear" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/fear-and-greed-are-potent-motivators-when-both-of-these-forces-push/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f0/andrew-weil-3294_fear_fear-and-greed-are-potent-motivators-whe_3096397.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f0/andrew-weil-3294_fear_fear-and-greed-are-potent-motivators-whe_3096397.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f0/andrew-weil-3294_fear_fear-and-greed-are-potent-motivators-whe_3096397.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Fear and greed are potent motivators. When both of these forces push in the same direction, virtually no…” — Andrew Weil", "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 Weil", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Fear and greed are potent motivators....", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/fear-and-greed-are-potent-motivators-when-both-of-these-forces-push/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/fear-and-greed-are-potent-motivators-when-both-of-these-forces-push/#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 } } ] } ```