--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Individuals motivated by self-interest…" description: "\"Individuals motivated by self-interest, self-indulgence, and a false sense of self-sufficiency pursue selfish ambition for the purpose of self-glorific..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2aa/c-j-mahaney-18178_ambition_individuals-motivated-by-self-interest-s_2362832.jpg" --- # Individuals motivated by self-interest, self-indulgence… ![“Individuals motivated by self-interest, self-indulgence, and a false sense of self-sufficiency pursue selfish ambition for the purpose of self-glorification.” quote by C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2aa/c-j-mahaney-18178_ambition_individuals-motivated-by-self-interest-s_2362832.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2aa/c-j-mahaney-18178_ambition_individuals-motivated-by-self-interest-s_2362832.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2aa/c-j-mahaney-18178_ambition_individuals-motivated-by-self-interest-s_2362832.jpg) > “Individuals motivated by self-interest, self-indulgence, and a false sense of self-sufficiency pursue selfish ambition for the purpose of self-glorification.” [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑interest leads to selfish ambition and self‑glorification, which is misguided. **In simple terms:** Selfish motives cause vanity. Key Takeaway Beware of ego‑driven goals. Themes ethics humility spirituality Mood thoughtful cautionary Type theological philosophical When to use this quote - leadership decisions - community service - personal ambition Key Concepts self‑interest pride vanity Questions to Reflect On - What drives your ambitions? - How do you balance self‑care and humility? A Different Perspective Not all personal ambition is negative; context matters. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) [Ambition Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition-purpose-5791233/) [Glorification](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/glorification/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Indulgence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indulgence/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Motivated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivated/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Pursue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursue/) [Pursue Selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursue-selfish-5791232/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self glorification](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-glorification/) [Self indulgence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-indulgence/) [Self interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-interest/) [Self sufficiency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-sufficiency/) [Selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish/) [Selfish ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish-ambition/) [Sense of self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sense-of-self/) [Sufficiency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sufficiency/) ## Related quotes > [Pride takes innumerable forms but has only one end: self-glorification. 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The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-bancroft/haiku-is-a-particularly-zen-form-of-poetry-for-zen-detests-egoism-in/) [Anne Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-bancroft/) > [Any effort that has self-glorification as its final endpoint is bound to end in disaster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-pirsig/any-effort-that-has-self-glorification-as-its-final-endpoint-is-bound/) [Robert M. Pirsig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-pirsig/) > [“Self glorification makes life hungry & empty. Glorifying God (giving back all glory to God) fulfills it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/indonesia123/self-glorification-makes-life-hungry-empty-glorifying-god-giving-back/) [indonesia123](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/indonesia123/) > [We cannot free ourselves from pride and selfish ambition; a divine rescue is absolutely necessary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/we-cannot-free-ourselves-from-pride-and-selfish-ambition-a-divine/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [“We tend to have a limited concept of spiritual death as saying no only to things we want or covet -- our guilty pleasures…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pearcey/we-tend-to-have-a-limited-concept-of-spiritual-death-as-saying-no/) [Nancy Pearcey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pearcey/) > [Timothy's great value was that he was always willing to go anywhere; and in his hands a message was as safe as if Paul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barclay/timothy-s-great-value-was-that-he-was-always-willing-to-go-anywhere/) [William Barclay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barclay/) > [America was built on rugged individualism, and today that has evolved into a culture of narcissism. But God didn't create you to live for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/america-was-built-on-rugged-individualism-and-today-that-has-evolved/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [“If you think the reason you exist or go to school is just to satisfy your selfish ambitions, then you are of all men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/topsy-gift/if-you-think-the-reason-you-exist-or-go-to-school-is-just-to-satisfy/) [Topsy Gift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/topsy-gift/) > [A good work ethic is not so much a concern for hard work but rather one for responsibility. There have been a great many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/a-good-work-ethic-is-not-so-much-a-concern-for-hard-work-but-rather/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) ## More by C. J. Mahaney > [If there's anything in life that we should be passionate about, it's the gospel. And I don't mean passionate only about sharing it with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/if-there-s-anything-in-life-that-we-should-be-passionate-about-it-s/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [What joy the gospel gives me! I can approach the throne of God with confidence-not because I've done a good job at my spiritual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/what-joy-the-gospel-gives-me-i-can-approach-the-throne-of-god-with/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [So make it your aim and lifelong habit, when you see someone who's serving, to be reminded of the sacrifice of the Savior, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/so-make-it-your-aim-and-lifelong-habit-when-you-see-someone-who-s/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [To learn true humility, we need more than a redefinition of greatness; we need even more than Jesus' personal example of humble service. 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Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [Pastoral ministry is about an ongoing confrontation with the god of this world, with blindness, hardness of heart, remaining sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/pastoral-ministry-is-about-an-ongoing-confrontation-with-the-god-of/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [Pride takes innumerable forms but has only one end: self-glorification. That’s the motive and ultimate purpose of pride—to rob God of legitimate glory and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/pride-takes-innumerable-forms-but-has-only-one-end-self-glorification/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [It is true that I have been studying both humility and pride for many years for the purpose of weakening pride in my own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/it-is-true-that-i-have-been-studying-both-humility-and-pride-for-many/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [Modesty is humility expressed in dress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/modesty-is-humility-expressed-in-dress/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [We cannot free ourselves from pride and selfish ambition; a divine rescue is absolutely necessary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/we-cannot-free-ourselves-from-pride-and-selfish-ambition-a-divine/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [No matter the severity of suffering we experience in this life, it will always be less that what we have deserved for our sins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/no-matter-the-severity-of-suffering-we-experience-in-this-life-it/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [Endurance in ministry is rooted in the eternal perspective. The absence of an eternal perspective makes you vulnerable to losing heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/endurance-in-ministry-is-rooted-in-the-eternal-perspective-the/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [Your greatest need is not a spouse. Your greatest need is to be delivered from the wrath of God - and that has already…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/your-greatest-need-is-not-a-spouse-your-greatest-need-is-to-be/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [If you crossed Matthew Henry's path, you would quickly realize that here was someone taking thankful notice of all God was doing for him,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/if-you-crossed-matthew-henry-s-path-you-would-quickly-realize-that/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) [Explore all 35 C. J. Mahaney quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) ## More Ambition quotes > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [One needs more than ambition and talent to make a success of anything, really. There must be love and a vocation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessye-norman/one-needs-more-than-ambition-and-talent-to-make-a-success-of-anything/) [Jessye Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessye-norman/) > [I just think my own ambition would not allow me to sit on the gifts that my creator had given me. And so that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-just-think-my-own-ambition-would-not-allow-me-to-sit-on-the-gifts/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [A man's worth is no greater than the worth of his ambitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-man-s-worth-is-no-greater-than-the-worth-of-his-ambitions/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm hungry and ambitious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julen-lopetegui/i-m-hungry-and-ambitious/) [Julen Lopetegui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julen-lopetegui/) > [“I was ambitious and desperate to direct my first film, so I capitulated and blew it. Never again. Never fucking again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-was-ambitious-and-desperate-to-direct-my-first-film-so-i/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [I was always attracted most to joining City, and I am pleased to be at such a good club with such a big ambition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edin-dzeko/i-was-always-attracted-most-to-joining-city-and-i-am-pleased-to-be-at/) [Edin Dzeko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edin-dzeko/) > [Work towards your goal and dont watch the post size,its either they hate,or like you.there is no room for both sides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-buabeng/work-towards-your-goal-and-dont-watch-the-post-size-its-either-they/) [Isaac Buabeng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-buabeng/) > [“But young men have not only this frivolous ambition of being thought masters of execution, inciting them on the one hand, but also their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-young-men-have-not-only-this-frivolous-ambition-of-being-thought/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I almost never have a plan for myself... I'm not ambitious in that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-plimpton/i-almost-never-have-a-plan-for-myself-i-m-not-ambitious-in-that-way/) [Martha Plimpton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-plimpton/) > [I play for high stakes and given an audience - there is no act too daring or too noble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/i-play-for-high-stakes-and-given-an-audience-there-is-no-act-too/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [There's nothing worse than a leader who lacks ambition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-s-nothing-worse-than-a-leader-who-lacks-ambition/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If i can't even protect my captain's dream, then whatever ambition i have is nothing but talk..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoro/if-i-can-t-even-protect-my-captain-s-dream-then-whatever-ambition-i/) [Zoro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoro/) > [It may seem unattainable but if you put actions, your heart and your mind into it, you will prevail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/london-mond/it-may-seem-unattainable-but-if-you-put-actions-your-heart-and-your/) [London Mond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/london-mond/) > [Obligation is what's leading us to toward successful, and what keeps us moving towards the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wazim-shaw/obligation-is-what-s-leading-us-to-toward-successful-and-what-keeps/) [Wazim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wazim-shaw/) [Browse all 4,601 Ambition quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Individuals motivated by self-interest, self-indulgence, and a false sense of self-sufficiency pursue selfish ambition for the purpose of self-glorification.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "C. 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