--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Thus, you see, he arrived at the same…" description: "\"“Thus, you see, he arrived at the same end, via supposed duty, that he was previously pledged to via interest. I fancy a good number of us, when any li..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a73/elizabeth-gaskell-894_belief_thus-you-see-he-arrived-at-the-same-end_1186845.jpg" --- # Thus, you see, he arrived at the same end, via supposed… ![“Thus, you see, he arrived at the same end, via supposed duty, that he was previously pledged to via interest. I fancy a good number of us, when any line of action will promote our own interest, can make ourselves believe that reasons exist which compel us to it as a duty.” quote by Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a73/elizabeth-gaskell-894_belief_thus-you-see-he-arrived-at-the-same-end_1186845.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a73/elizabeth-gaskell-894_belief_thus-you-see-he-arrived-at-the-same-end_1186845.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a73/elizabeth-gaskell-894_belief_thus-you-see-he-arrived-at-the-same-end_1186845.jpg) > ““Thus, you see, he arrived at the same end, via supposed duty, that he was previously pledged to via interest. I fancy a good number of us, when any line of action will promote our own interest, can make ourselves believe that reasons exist which compel us to it as a duty.”” [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often rationalize self‑interest as duty, convincing themselves that moral reasons exist when actually acting for personal gain. **In simple terms:** Self‑interest masquerades as duty. Key Takeaway Question your motives. Themes morality self‑interest rationalization duty Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - politics - business decisions - personal choices - leadership Key Concepts ethical philosophy psychology of justification Questions to Reflect On - When have you mistaken personal gain for moral duty? - How can you ensure motives are genuine? A Different Perspective Self‑justification can blind ethical judgment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Reasoning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reasoning/) [Sardonic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sardonic/) [Self deception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-deception/) ## Related quotes > [“Is this lifetime supposed to be only about duty?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/is-this-lifetime-supposed-to-be-only-about-duty/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [“But why must everything always have a practical application? 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Ron Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-ron-hubbard/) ## More by Elizabeth Gaskell > [“Osborne and Roger knowing that the wife of the former was a Frenchwoman, and, conscious of each other's knowledge, felt doubly awkward; while Molly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/osborne-and-roger-knowing-that-the-wife-of-the-former-was-a/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [Well, He had known what love was-a sharp pang, a fierce experience, in the midst of whose flames he was struggling! but, through that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/well-he-had-known-what-love-was-a-sharp-pang-a-fierce-experience-in/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [In all disappointments sympathy is a great balm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/in-all-disappointments-sympathy-is-a-great-balm/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [But Margaret went less abroad, among machinery and men; saw less of power in its public effect, and, as it happened, she was thrown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/but-margaret-went-less-abroad-among-machinery-and-men-saw-less-of/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [“And besides, in the matter of friendship, I have observed that the disappointment here arises chiefly, not from liking our friends too well, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/and-besides-in-the-matter-of-friendship-i-have-observed-that-the/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [What other people may think of the rightness or wrongness is nothing in comparison to my own deep knowledge, my innate conviction that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/what-other-people-may-think-of-the-rightness-or-wrongness-is-nothing/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [“The first question sobbed out by his choking voice, oppressed with emotion, was-- "Where is she?" 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It must have taken a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/don-t-be-afraid-she-said-coldly-as-far-as-love-may-go-she-may-be/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) [Explore all 330 Elizabeth Gaskell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) ## More Belief quotes > [“Cine a ucis stelele? 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