--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Most people do what they do, not because…" description: "\"Most people do what they do, not because that is what they want, but because other people expect them to do so.\" — Anonymous" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bef/anonymous-1_actions_most-people-do-what-they-do-not-because_1925036.jpg" --- # Most people do what they do, not because that is what they… ![“Most people do what they do, not because that is what they want, but because other people expect them to do so.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bef/anonymous-1_actions_most-people-do-what-they-do-not-because_1925036.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bef/anonymous-1_actions_most-people-do-what-they-do-not-because_1925036.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bef/anonymous-1_actions_most-people-do-what-they-do-not-because_1925036.jpg) > “Most people do what they do, not because that is what they want, but because other people expect them to do so.” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Points out that many act to meet others’ expectations rather than personal desire. **In simple terms:** People follow expectations, not wishes. Key Takeaway Question societal pressures. Themes conformity expectations identity Mood critical thoughtful Type observational philosophical When to use this quote - career choices - family decisions - peer pressure - education Key Concepts social psychology self-determination Questions to Reflect On - Whose expectations are you fulfilling? - What would you do if you followed your own wishes? A Different Perspective Ignoring personal values can lead to dissatisfaction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actions/) [Conformity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conformity/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-the-people-you-expect-to-kick-you-when-you-re-down-will-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Be who you want to be, not what people want to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/be-who-you-want-to-be-not-what-people-want-to-see/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In life, you don't get the people you want. you get the people you need. to teach you, to hurt you, to love you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-life-you-don-t-get-the-people-you-want-you-get-the-people-you-need/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [People always expect you to give not knowing how you received](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-khashane-msendevu/people-always-expect-you-to-give-not-knowing-how-you-received/) [Wilson Khashane Msendevu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-khashane-msendevu/) > [Bad things happen to good people, expect the unexpected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/bad-things-happen-to-good-people-expect-the-unexpected/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Don't become the one people expect you to be, become who you really are!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-become-the-one-people-expect-you-to-be-become-who-you-really-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Ive always loved the idea of not being what people expect me to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/ive-always-loved-the-idea-of-not-being-what-people-expect-me-to-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sometimes in life we find comfort in people we least expect it from.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-in-life-we-find-comfort-in-people-we-least-expect-it-from/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Give people more than they expect, and do it cheerfully.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/give-people-more-than-they-expect-and-do-it-cheerfully/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I think people expect too much from marriage today,” he said. “They expect perfection. Every moment should be bliss. That’s TV or movies. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-think-people-expect-too-much-from-marriage-today-he-said-they-3/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When I appear in public, people expect me to neigh, grind my teeth, paw the ground and swish my tail - none of which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-i-appear-in-public-people-expect-me-to-neigh-grind-my-teeth-paw/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's funny when you figure out who you can, or can't, trust. It's never really the people that you expect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-funny-when-you-figure-out-who-you-can-or-can-t-trust-it-s-never/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It is sad that some people expect things from you when they are in trouble, but they don't even remember you when everything is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-sad-that-some-people-expect-things-from-you-when-they-are-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Here is a simple but powerful rule - always give people more than what they expect to get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/here-is-a-simple-but-powerful-rule-always-give-people-more-than-what/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You really can't trust anybody. Its always the people you least expect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-really-can-t-trust-anybody-its-always-the-people-you-least-expect/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Actions quotes > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [Self-discipline is an act of cultivation. It require you to connect today's actions to tomorrow's results. There's a season for sowing a season for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-ryan-blair/self-discipline-is-an-act-of-cultivation-it-require-you-to-connect/) [Gary Ryan Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-ryan-blair/) > [A lot of my work involves instilling objects with the power of touch - a transference of soul, spirit, energy through actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-colen/a-lot-of-my-work-involves-instilling-objects-with-the-power-of-touch/) [Dan Colen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-colen/) > [“Stop Blaming Others For Your Own Actions”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-g-roldan/stop-blaming-others-for-your-own-actions/) [Alexis G. Roldan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-g-roldan/) > [True love is proven through the actions of your true love!! Not through the act of saying it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/true-love-is-proven-through-the-actions-of-your-true-love-not-through/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The actions of the University in my case make it abundantly clear that the Administration's rhetoric about Harvard's desire to attract and retain the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-geller/the-actions-of-the-university-in-my-case-make-it-abundantly-clear/) [Margaret Geller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-geller/) > [As we get more transparent with data sets about infrastructure and systems management, I have a feeling we'll see big changes in how we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-koblin/as-we-get-more-transparent-with-data-sets-about-infrastructure-and/) [Aaron Koblin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-koblin/) > [“When you are pushed to the wall, you will act and do things you have never done before.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/when-you-are-pushed-to-the-wall-you-will-act-and-do-things-you-have/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [“The definition of a professional is one who does a job well even when they don't like it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-sheinwald/the-definition-of-a-professional-is-one-who-does-a-job-well-even-when/) Alan Sheinwald > [“FLIES IN DISGUISE Tell me, Have you Really seen Flies in a child's eyes Or heard their hungry cries In the middle Of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/flies-in-disguise-tell-me-have-you-really-seen-flies-in-a-child-s/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [“We are the result of our mere actions. What we do, we become.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santosh-kalwar/we-are-the-result-of-our-mere-actions-what-we-do-we-become/) [Santosh Kalwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santosh-kalwar/) > [I would rather have my actions speak for me on the pitch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorenzo-insigne/i-would-rather-have-my-actions-speak-for-me-on-the-pitch/) [Lorenzo Insigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorenzo-insigne/) > [If you want to know someone's mind, listen to their words. If you want to know their heart, watch their actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-want-to-know-someone-s-mind-listen-to-their-words-if-you-want/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Twitter didn't make up the hashtag. Twitter didn't make up the retweet. It's our users. And people started using them so much that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-jacobs-stanton/twitter-didn-t-make-up-the-hashtag-twitter-didn-t-make-up-the-retweet/) Katie Jacobs Stanton > [I personally claim no special insight into Satan's methods, but I have at times been able to identify his influence and his actions in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-e-faust/i-personally-claim-no-special-insight-into-satan-s-methods-but-i-have/) [James E. Faust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-e-faust/) [Browse all 1,287 Actions quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actions/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Most people do what they do, not because that is what they want, but because other people expect them to do so.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Anonymous" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/most-people-do-what-they-do-not-because-that-is-what-they-want-but/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Actions" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/most-people-do-what-they-do-not-because-that-is-what-they-want-but/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bef/anonymous-1_actions_most-people-do-what-they-do-not-because_1925036.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bef/anonymous-1_actions_most-people-do-what-they-do-not-because_1925036.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bef/anonymous-1_actions_most-people-do-what-they-do-not-because_1925036.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Most people do what they do, not because that is what they want, but because other people expect them to do…” — Anonymous", "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": "Anonymous", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Most people do what they do,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/most-people-do-what-they-do-not-because-that-is-what-they-want-but/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/most-people-do-what-they-do-not-because-that-is-what-they-want-but/#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 } } ] } ```