--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This unusual and highly successful…" description: "\"This unusual and highly successful species spends a great deal of time examining his higher motives and an equal amount of time ignoring his fundamenta..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ca/desmond-morris-17347_amount_this-unusual-and-highly-successful-speci_3147009.jpg" --- # This unusual and highly successful species spends a great… ![“This unusual and highly successful species spends a great deal of time examining his higher motives and an equal amount of time ignoring his fundamental ones.” quote by Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ca/desmond-morris-17347_amount_this-unusual-and-highly-successful-speci_3147009.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ca/desmond-morris-17347_amount_this-unusual-and-highly-successful-speci_3147009.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ca/desmond-morris-17347_amount_this-unusual-and-highly-successful-speci_3147009.jpg) > “This unusual and highly successful species spends a great deal of time examining his higher motives and an equal amount of time ignoring his fundamental ones.” [Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The species spends much time reflecting on lofty motives while neglecting basic needs, showing a mismatch between self‑image and survival. **In simple terms:** People ignore basics while pondering big ideas. Key Takeaway Align actions with essential needs. Themes self‑awareness motivation survival Mood reflective analytical Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - career planning - personal development - health decisions Key Concepts psychology evolutionary biology Questions to Reflect On - What basic needs are you overlooking? - How can you balance high‑level aspirations with daily care? A Different Perspective Focusing on abstract goals can lead to neglect of fundamental well‑being. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Motive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motive/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) ## Related quotes > [With constant practice, one can improve his physical body and mental attitude rapidly, thereby igniting the higher motives of making one’s self useful to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dharma-mittra/with-constant-practice-one-can-improve-his-physical-body-and-mental/) [Dharma Mittra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dharma-mittra/) > [All higher motives, ideals, conceptions, sentiments in a man are of no account if they do not come forward to strengthen him for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/all-higher-motives-ideals-conceptions-sentiments-in-a-man-are-of-no/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [The New Testament persistently presses us upward, toward higher motives for being good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/the-new-testament-persistently-presses-us-upward-toward-higher/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [Willpower is so common among highly successful people that many see its characteristics as synonymous with success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-senge/willpower-is-so-common-among-highly-successful-people-that-many-see/) [Peter Senge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-senge/) > [Give me a highly successful unionized industry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/give-me-a-highly-successful-unionized-industry/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [Criticism of my alleged views was widespread and highly successful. 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This is not some kind of pro-canine campaigning fantasy. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-morris/people-who-keep-dogs-live-longer-on-average-than-those-who-do-not/) [Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/) > [Life is like a very short visit to a toy shop between birth and death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-morris/life-is-like-a-very-short-visit-to-a-toy-shop-between-birth-and-death/) [Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/) > [The idea that it is funny to see wild animals coerced into acting like clumsy humans, or thrilling to see powerful beasts reduced to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-morris/the-idea-that-it-is-funny-to-see-wild-animals-coerced-into-acting/) [Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/) > [The roots of our Soccer Tribe lie deep in our primeval past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-morris/the-roots-of-our-soccer-tribe-lie-deep-in-our-primeval-past/) [Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/) > [The response of teenagers to their idols is relevant. 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