--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: How can any Action be meritorious of…" description: "\"How can any Action be meritorious of Praise or Dispraise, Reward or Punishment, when the natural Principle of Self-Love is the only and the irresistibl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab1/benjamin-franklin-65_action_how-can-any-action-be-meritorious-of-pra_2272235.png" --- # How can any Action be meritorious of Praise or Dispraise… ![“How can any Action be meritorious of Praise or Dispraise, Reward or Punishment, when the natural Principle of Self-Love is the only and the irresistible Motive to it?” quote by Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab1/benjamin-franklin-65_action_how-can-any-action-be-meritorious-of-pra_2272235.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab1/benjamin-franklin-65_action_how-can-any-action-be-meritorious-of-pra_2272235.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab1/benjamin-franklin-65_action_how-can-any-action-be-meritorious-of-pra_2272235.png) > “How can any Action be meritorious of Praise or Dispraise, Reward or Punishment, when the natural Principle of Self-Love is the only and the irresistible Motive to it?” [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑love drives actions, making moral judgment of deeds complex because motives are self‑centered. **In simple terms:** Self‑love complicates moral evaluation. Key Takeaway Recognize personal motives in judgments. Themes morality self‑interest judgment Mood reflective philosophical Type historical ethical When to use this quote - personal decisions - leadership - reward systems Key Concepts ethics psychology Questions to Reflect On - Are truly self‑less actions possible? - How does self‑love affect responsibility? A Different Perspective Self‑interest may conflict with altruism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Motive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motive/) [Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Punishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punishment/) [Rewards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rewards/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-love/) ## Related quotes > [The law of gratitude is the natural principle that action and reaction are always equal and in opposite directions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/the-law-of-gratitude-is-the-natural-principle-that-action-and/) [Wallace D. 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