---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Men are more accountable for their…"
description: "\"Men are more accountable for their motives, than for anything else; and primarily, morality consists in the motives, that is in the affections.\" — Arch..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f6/archibald-alexander-28736_accountability_men-are-more-accountable-for-their-motiv_724110.png"
---

#  Men are more accountable for their motives, than for…

![“Men are more accountable for their motives, than for anything else; and primarily, morality consists in the motives, that is in the affections.” quote by Archibald Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f6/archibald-alexander-28736_accountability_men-are-more-accountable-for-their-motiv_724110.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f6/archibald-alexander-28736_accountability_men-are-more-accountable-for-their-motiv_724110.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f6/archibald-alexander-28736_accountability_men-are-more-accountable-for-their-motiv_724110.png)

> “Men are more accountable for their motives, than for anything else; and primarily, morality consists in the motives, that is in the affections.”

[Archibald Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archibald-alexander/)

## About This Quote

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

Moral worth is judged by the intentions behind actions, not just the actions themselves.

**In simple terms:** Morality is about motives, not deeds.

Key Takeaway

Focus on pure intentions.

Themes

morality motives ethics

Mood

reflective serious

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

- personal decisions
- leadership
- judgment
- policy making

Key Concepts

intentionality affect character

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you assess someone's true motives?
- Can good motives justify questionable outcomes?

A Different Perspective

Motives can be hidden or misinterpreted.

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[Accountability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accountability/) [Affection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affection/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Motive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motive/)

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