Inspiration Quote by Antonin Sertillanges
““Inspiration is incompatible with selfish desire. Whoever wants something for himself sets truth aside. Such aims can only degrade work.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Philosophy of Work, 1910
Selfish motives undermine genuine inspiration; true work requires self‑lessness and dedication to truth.
In simple terms: Selfishness blocks inspiration.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize truth over personal gain.
Themes
integrity
inspiration
work
selflessness
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- creative projects
- team leadership
- academic research
- entrepreneurship
Key Concepts
ethical philosophy
motivation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does personal ambition affect your creative output?
- Can you separate self‑interest from sincere effort?
A Different Perspective
Self‑interest can sometimes drive innovation, challenging the blanket claim.
![“She [the Church] proclaims that we owe love, honour and service to God in the first place, and after God not to humanity immediately, but to our father and mother, to our families, to our countries. After these, to humanity.” quote by Antonin Sertillanges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1d2/antonin-sertillanges-24329_catholicism_she-the-church-proclaims-that-we-owe-lov_1725658.jpg)
