--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The deepest principle in human nature is…" description: "\"The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.\"Mark McCormack, Author and sports entrepreneur\"Psychologists tell us that money..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f92/john-baldoni-21711_affirmation_the-deepest-principle-in-human-nature-is_2878918.png" --- # The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be… ![“The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated."Mark McCormack, Author and sports entrepreneur"Psychologists tell us that money is a satisfier, not a motivator... Recognition is. That's why we do what we do... Recognition is critical to self-esteem. Without it, we feel…” quote by John Baldoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f92/john-baldoni-21711_affirmation_the-deepest-principle-in-human-nature-is_2878918.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f92/john-baldoni-21711_affirmation_the-deepest-principle-in-human-nature-is_2878918.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f92/john-baldoni-21711_affirmation_the-deepest-principle-in-human-nature-is_2878918.png) > “The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated."Mark McCormack, Author and sports entrepreneur"Psychologists tell us that money is a satisfier, not a motivator... Recognition is. That's why we do what we do... Recognition is critical to self-esteem. Without it, we feel undervalued, even insignificant. Money is nice, sure. But once you establish a basis of monetary rewards, without the accompanying verbal and social affirmation, the employee will quickly become disgruntled and ask for more. Eventually, more will never be enough.” [John Baldoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-baldoni/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Recognition, not money, drives motivation and self‑esteem; without it, employees feel undervalued and become disgruntled. **In simple terms:** Recognition fuels motivation more than money. Key Takeaway Prioritize recognition over monetary rewards. Themes motivation recognition leadership Mood inspirational practical Type leadership motivational When to use this quote - employee onboarding - performance reviews - team meetings - company culture Key Concepts psychology human resources management Questions to Reflect On - How can leaders embed genuine recognition? - What forms of recognition are most effective? A Different Perspective Money alone cannot sustain long‑term engagement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Affirmation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affirmation/) [Appreciated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appreciated/) [Asks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asks/) [Bases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bases/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Craving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/craving/) [Critical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critical/) [Disgruntled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disgruntled/) [Employee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/employee/) [Empowering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empowering/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [Entrepreneur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entrepreneur/) [Esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/esteem/) [Esteem Feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/esteem-feel-398990/) [Feel Undervalued](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feel-undervalued-2835255/) [Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feels/) [Human nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-nature/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Insignificant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insignificant/) [Inspiring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiring/) [Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mark/) [Monetary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monetary/) [Monetary Rewards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monetary-rewards-3979286/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Nice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nice/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Psychologist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychologist/) [Recognition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recognition/) [Recognition Critical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recognition-critical-3979285/) [Rewards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rewards/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-esteem/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Undervalued](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/undervalued/) [Why we do what we do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/why-we-do-what-we-do/) ## Related quotes > [Greater public recognition will also be critical in encouraging prevention and early intervention, and more generally in building public support to meet the challenges…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-bishop/greater-public-recognition-will-also-be-critical-in-encouraging/) [Julie Bishop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-bishop/) > [I feel, at the national level, shooters should get monetary rewards also, along with medals and a handshake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nana-patekar/i-feel-at-the-national-level-shooters-should-get-monetary-rewards/) [Nana Patekar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nana-patekar/) > [Monetary rewards are not a substitute for intrinsic motivation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-edwards-deming/monetary-rewards-are-not-a-substitute-for-intrinsic-motivation/) [W. Edwards Deming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-edwards-deming/) > [You feel undervalued when you write the kind of fiction I write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-jewell/you-feel-undervalued-when-you-write-the-kind-of-fiction-i-write/) [Lisa Jewell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-jewell/) > [NCAA is looking at how to do a better job enforcing their rules instead of looking at why the predatorial environment is created. There's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/ncaa-is-looking-at-how-to-do-a-better-job-enforcing-their-rules/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [We like to buy stocks which we feel are undervalued and then we have to have the guts to buy more when they go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-schloss/we-like-to-buy-stocks-which-we-feel-are-undervalued-and-then-we-have/) [Walter Schloss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-schloss/) > [“Praise & esteem can feel good, which is fine, but don't look to them for inner peace & lasting happiness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-lokos/praise-esteem-can-feel-good-which-is-fine-but-don-t-look-to-them-for/) [Allan Lokos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-lokos/) > [I'm not saying that I don't have skills. I'm saying I don't feel like I can use my skills to achieve self-esteem. I feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-grant/i-m-not-saying-that-i-don-t-have-skills-i-m-saying-i-don-t-feel-like/) [John Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-grant/) > [Being a vegan just helps me build up my self-esteem. I feel good about it every time I eat a meal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-o/being-a-vegan-just-helps-me-build-up-my-self-esteem-i-feel-good-about/) [Steve-O](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-o/) > [“You will go through your life thinking there was a day in second grade that you must have missed, when the grown-ups came in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/you-will-go-through-your-life-thinking-there-was-a-day-in-second/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [What's helpful is develop a self-esteem, feel good about yourself, feel like you're a whole, complete person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hoover/what-s-helpful-is-develop-a-self-esteem-feel-good-about-yourself-feel/) [Margaret Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hoover/) > [Self-esteem is all about how much we feel valued, loved, accepted, and thought well of by others and how much we value, love, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-rambharack/self-esteem-is-all-about-how-much-we-feel-valued-loved-accepted-and/) [Glen Rambharack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-rambharack/) > [The meaning of self-esteem is to feel lovable and capable. As parents, we must love our children unconditionally and give them a sense of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-canfield/the-meaning-of-self-esteem-is-to-feel-lovable-and-capable-as-parents/) [Jack Canfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-canfield/) > [Do your best with what you have where you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-punch/do-your-best-with-what-you-have-where-you-are/) [Lucy Punch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-punch/) > [Do what you can, with what you have and do it now!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington-carver/do-what-you-can-with-what-you-have-and-do-it-now/) [George Washington Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington-carver/) ## More by John Baldoni > [The words a leader speaks are important, of course. But how they're delivered can make all the difference, especially in tough times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-baldoni/the-words-a-leader-speaks-are-important-of-course-but-how-they-re/) [John Baldoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-baldoni/) > [Focusing on one's own purpose is a matter of considering what you want to do, why you want to do it, and how you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-baldoni/focusing-on-one-s-own-purpose-is-a-matter-of-considering-what-you/) [John Baldoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-baldoni/) > [Leaders who lead purposeful organizations are those who put people first. No, it's not a cliché when they actually do it. It means they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-baldoni/leaders-who-lead-purposeful-organizations-are-those-who-put-people/) [John Baldoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-baldoni/) > [Results come from purpose because it is the outcome of what you striving to do. For example, if you run a cardiac care center…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-baldoni/results-come-from-purpose-because-it-is-the-outcome-of-what-you/) [John Baldoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-baldoni/) > [Leadership embraces activism; it is the outcome of a purposeful pursuit of goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-baldoni/leadership-embraces-activism-it-is-the-outcome-of-a-purposeful/) [John Baldoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-baldoni/) > [Solution = Conflict + Collaboration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-baldoni/solution-conflict-collaboration/) [John Baldoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-baldoni/) > [“Lead from the front. Go to where you can do the most good. From the moment the Towers were struck, Giuliani was front and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-baldoni/lead-from-the-front-go-to-where-you-can-do-the-most-good-from-the/) [John Baldoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-baldoni/) > [Leaders instill purpose through their words and their actions. Their communications demonstrate a commitment to vision and mission, but their behaviors underscore its real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-baldoni/leaders-instill-purpose-through-their-words-and-their-actions-their/) [John Baldoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-baldoni/) > [All leaders must be good communicators. But let's be clear, communications is not the same as oratory. Let me give you an example. General…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-baldoni/all-leaders-must-be-good-communicators-but-let-s-be-clear/) [John Baldoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-baldoni/) > [We are living in times of great uncertainty. Likely no more so than in previous times but the sense of ambiguity may be more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-baldoni/we-are-living-in-times-of-great-uncertainty-likely-no-more-so-than-in/) [John Baldoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-baldoni/) > [Three things a leader or manager should be thinking: What's happening? What's not happening? and What can I do to influence the outcome?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-baldoni/three-things-a-leader-or-manager-should-be-thinking-what-s-happening/) [John Baldoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-baldoni/) > [Leaders are creatures of their environment, but unlike most creatures, they are also movers of it. As movers of and within the organization, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-baldoni/leaders-are-creatures-of-their-environment-but-unlike-most-creatures/) [John Baldoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-baldoni/) > [Leadership is the behavior each of us exerts when we take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-baldoni/leadership-is-the-behavior-each-of-us-exerts-when-we-take/) [John Baldoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-baldoni/) > [The roots of effective leadership lie in simple things, one of which is listening. Listening to someone demonstrates respect; it shows that you value…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-baldoni/the-roots-of-effective-leadership-lie-in-simple-things-one-of-which/) [John Baldoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-baldoni/) > [Purpose needs to be nurtured. It gains resolve when faced with adversity. The ability to overcome obstacles and challenges is daunting but when accomplished…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-baldoni/purpose-needs-to-be-nurtured-it-gains-resolve-when-faced-with/) [John Baldoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-baldoni/) [Explore all 28 John Baldoni quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-baldoni/) ## More Affirmation quotes > [One of the most powerful concepts, one which is a sure cure for lack of confidence, is the thought that God is with you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/one-of-the-most-powerful-concepts-one-which-is-a-sure-cure-for-lack/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [I started with the belief that every person who came to the laboratory was free to accept or to reject the dictates of authority.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-milgram/i-started-with-the-belief-that-every-person-who-came-to-the/) [Stanley Milgram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-milgram/) > [Art, if it is successful in the task of questioning reality, if it is good painting and not merely a performance of dexterity, will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-swift/art-if-it-is-successful-in-the-task-of-questioning-reality-if-it-is/) [Patrick Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-swift/) > [There's a certain feeling of giving, a certain feeling of generosity in love songs. When you sing a song of love, you're actually giving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mraz/there-s-a-certain-feeling-of-giving-a-certain-feeling-of-generosity/) [Jason Mraz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mraz/) > [Communism... is the genuine resolution of the antagonism between man and nature and between man and man; it is the true resolution of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/communism-is-the-genuine-resolution-of-the-antagonism-between-man-and/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [The future teachers I try to recruit are those show have refused to let themselves be neutered in this way, either in their private…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-kozol/the-future-teachers-i-try-to-recruit-are-those-show-have-refused-to/) [Jonathan Kozol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-kozol/) > [Affirmations need to be used if they are to become incorporated into the fabric of your being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-maisel/affirmations-need-to-be-used-if-they-are-to-become-incorporated-into/) [Eric Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-maisel/) > [That the sun will not rise tomorrow is no less intelligible a proposition, and implies no more contradiction, than the affirmation, that it will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hume/that-the-sun-will-not-rise-tomorrow-is-no-less-intelligible-a/) [David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hume/) > [“Affirmation without discipline is like enthusiasm without direction.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-mininni/affirmation-without-discipline-is-like-enthusiasm-without-direction/) [Lisa Mininni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mininni/) > [Whenever I'm in need of inspiration and mantras, I go straight to simple affirmations. 'I am strong', 'I am brave', 'I can do this'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mraz/whenever-i-m-in-need-of-inspiration-and-mantras-i-go-straight-to/) [Jason Mraz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mraz/) > [We in the Jewish community are comparatively lucky. All of traditions have anti-gay pieces but the Jewish tradition doesn't have as many anti-sexuality and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-michaelson/we-in-the-jewish-community-are-comparatively-lucky-all-of-traditions/) [Jay Michaelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-michaelson/) > [I have a magical work in a magical way. I give magical service for magical pay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-scovel-shinn/i-have-a-magical-work-in-a-magical-way-i-give-magical-service-for/) [Florence Scovel Shinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-scovel-shinn/) > [“On one side it seems there is faith in a Creator-God - and at the same time, the rejection of his creation; and on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-schmemann/on-one-side-it-seems-there-is-faith-in-a-creator-god-and-at-the-same/) [Alexander Schmemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-schmemann/) > [For you deal here above all with human life, and human life is sacred; no one may dare make an attempt upon it. Respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-paul-vi/for-you-deal-here-above-all-with-human-life-and-human-life-is-sacred/) [Pope Paul VI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-paul-vi/) > [An affirmation is a strong, positive statement that something is already so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shakti-gawain/an-affirmation-is-a-strong-positive-statement-that-something-is/) [Shakti Gawain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shakti-gawain/) [Browse all 540 Affirmation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affirmation/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.\"Mark McCormack, Author and sports entrepreneur\"Psychologists tell us that money is a satisfier, not a motivator... Recognition is. That's why we do what we do... Recognition is critical to self-esteem. Without it, we feel undervalued, even insignificant. Money is nice, sure. 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