--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But the most important lesson I have…" description: "\"But the most important lesson I have learned in my twenty years or research on morality is that nearly all people are morally motivated. Selfishness is..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c3/jonathan-haidt-1823_change-the-world_but-the-most-important-lesson-i-have-lea_3164134.jpg" --- # But the most important lesson I have learned in my twenty… ![“But the most important lesson I have learned in my twenty years or research on morality is that nearly all people are morally motivated. Selfishness is a powerful force, particularly in the decisions of individuals, but whenever groups of people come together to make a sustained effort to change…” quote by Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c3/jonathan-haidt-1823_change-the-world_but-the-most-important-lesson-i-have-lea_3164134.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c3/jonathan-haidt-1823_change-the-world_but-the-most-important-lesson-i-have-lea_3164134.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c3/jonathan-haidt-1823_change-the-world_but-the-most-important-lesson-i-have-lea_3164134.jpg) > “But the most important lesson I have learned in my twenty years or research on morality is that nearly all people are morally motivated. Selfishness is a powerful force, particularly in the decisions of individuals, but whenever groups of people come together to make a sustained effort to change the world, you can bet that they are pursuing a vision of virtue, justice, or sacredness.” [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Most people act from moral motives; selfishness exists, but collective action usually pursues higher virtues like justice. **In simple terms:** People are generally moral; groups aim for virtue. Key Takeaway Foster collective projects that appeal to shared values. Themes morality group dynamics virtue Mood inspirational analytical Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - non‑profit initiatives - community organizing - policy advocacy - team projects Key Concepts collective action altruism social identity Questions to Reflect On - How can we align individual and group goals? - What structures support virtuous collaboration? A Different Perspective Group motives can be mixed with self‑interest. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change the world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-the-world/) [Changing the world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/changing-the-world/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/force/) [Groups](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/groups/) [I have learned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-have-learned/) [Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important/) [Important lessons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important-lessons/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Lessons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lessons/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Morally Motivated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morally-motivated-697274/) [Motivated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivated/) [Motivated Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivated-selfishness-5732758/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Morally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-morally-684186/) [Powerful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/powerful/) [Research](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/research/) [Sacredness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacredness/) [Selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish/) [Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness/) [Selfishness Powerful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness-powerful-5732759/) [Together](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/together/) [Twenties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/twenties/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vision/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) ## Related quotes > [If I have a mission in life, it is to convince people that everyone is morally motivated - everyone except for psychopaths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/if-i-have-a-mission-in-life-it-is-to-convince-people-that-everyone-is/) [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) > [You can see the rider serving the elephant when people are morally dumbfounded. They have strong gut feelings about what is right and wrong,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/you-can-see-the-rider-serving-the-elephant-when-people-are-morally/) [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) > [“However misguided, the asshole is morally motivated. He is fundamentally different from the psychopath, who either lacks or fails to engage moral concepts, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-james/however-misguided-the-asshole-is-morally-motivated-he-is/) [Aaron James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-james/) > [Sacredness binds people together, and then blinds them to the arbitrariness of the practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/sacredness-binds-people-together-and-then-blinds-them-to-the/) [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) > [Politics is really religion. Politics is about sacredness. Politics is about offering a vision that will bind the nation together to pursue greatness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/politics-is-really-religion-politics-is-about-sacredness-politics-is/) [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) > [“This is the tragedy of the postmodern age. The things that matter most in life, that are necessary for a humane society—ideals like moral…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pearcey/this-is-the-tragedy-of-the-postmodern-age-the-things-that-matter-most/) [Nancy Pearcey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pearcey/) > [Of all the characteristics needed for both a happy and morally decent life, none surpasses gratitude. Grateful people are happier, and grateful people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/of-all-the-characteristics-needed-for-both-a-happy-and-morally-decent/) [Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/) > [In the best stories, people are morally complex; they are flawed. We read them because the world is flawed, and we want to see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-smith/in-the-best-stories-people-are-morally-complex-they-are-flawed-we/) [Russell Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-smith/) > [God’s grace does not come to people who morally outperform others, but to those who admit their failure to perform and who acknowledge their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/god-s-grace-does-not-come-to-people-who-morally-outperform-others-but/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [The truth which has made us free will in the end make us glad also. Every outcry against the oppression of some people by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-adler/the-truth-which-has-made-us-free-will-in-the-end-make-us-glad-also/) [Felix Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-adler/) > [I do think sometimes people get morally superior without understanding situations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sienna-miller/i-do-think-sometimes-people-get-morally-superior-without/) [Sienna Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sienna-miller/) > [I always end up taking people that are morally ambiguous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-crudup/i-always-end-up-taking-people-that-are-morally-ambiguous/) [Billy Crudup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-crudup/) > [The most disturbing thing, I think, with people that do very morally devious things more and more often is to see that they completely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/the-most-disturbing-thing-i-think-with-people-that-do-very-morally/) [Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/) > [The conception of worth, that each person is an end per se, is not a mere abstraction. Our interest in it is not merely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-adler/the-conception-of-worth-that-each-person-is-an-end-per-se-is-not-a/) [Felix Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-adler/) > [God save us from people who do the morally right thing. It's always the rest of us who get broken in half.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-chayefsky/god-save-us-from-people-who-do-the-morally-right-thing-it-s-always/) [Paddy Chayefsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-chayefsky/) ## More by Jonathan Haidt > [Love and work are to people what water and sunshine are to plants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/love-and-work-are-to-people-what-water-and-sunshine-are-to-plants/) [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) > [You can see the rider serving the elephant when people are morally dumbfounded. They have strong gut feelings about what is right and wrong,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/you-can-see-the-rider-serving-the-elephant-when-people-are-morally/) [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) > [Congress is full of good, decent, smart people who have devoted their lives to public service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/congress-is-full-of-good-decent-smart-people-who-have-devoted-their/) [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) > [Once you understand the power of stimulus control, you can use it to your advantage by changing the stimuli in your environment and avoiding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/once-you-understand-the-power-of-stimulus-control-you-can-use-it-to/) [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) > [“The ethic of autonomy is based on the idea that people are, first and foremost, autonomous individuals with wants, needs, and preferences. People should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/the-ethic-of-autonomy-is-based-on-the-idea-that-people-are-first-and/) [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) > [I got interested in the American culture war back in 2004, and it's one of the only growth stocks I've ever invested in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/i-got-interested-in-the-american-culture-war-back-in-2004-and-it-s/) [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) > [I think of myself as a social scientist. In order to get hired and to get promoted, we're forced to declare a disciplinary and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/i-think-of-myself-as-a-social-scientist-in-order-to-get-hired-and-to/) [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) > [“We should not expect individuals to produce good, open-minded, truth-seeking reasoning, particularly when self-interest or reputational concerns are in play. But if you put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/we-should-not-expect-individuals-to-produce-good-open-minded-truth/) [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) > [The most powerful force ever known on this planet is human cooperation - a force for construction and destruction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/the-most-powerful-force-ever-known-on-this-planet-is-human/) [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) > [It only takes twenty generations of selective breeding to create large differences or appearance and behavior in other mammals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/it-only-takes-twenty-generations-of-selective-breeding-to-create/) [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) > [If you think half of America votes badly because they are stupid or religious, you are trapped in a matrix ... Take the red…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/if-you-think-half-of-america-votes-badly-because-they-are-stupid-or/) [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) > [“Our minds have the potential to become righteous about many different concerns, and only a few of these concerns are activated during childhood. Other”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/our-minds-have-the-potential-to-become-righteous-about-many-different/) [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) > [People who devote their lives to studying something often come to believe that the object of their fascination is the key to understanding everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/people-who-devote-their-lives-to-studying-something-often-come-to/) [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) > [“Nonetheless, if you are trying to change an organization or a society and you do not consider the effects of your changes on moral…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/nonetheless-if-you-are-trying-to-change-an-organization-or-a-society/) [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) > [If you have a personality predisposed to liberalism, you might gravitate more to the artsy crowd or the anti-establishment crowd. And then those peers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/if-you-have-a-personality-predisposed-to-liberalism-you-might/) [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) [Explore all 204 Jonathan Haidt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) ## More Change the world quotes > [If you learn something that changes you, you've made progress. If you learn something that changes others, you've helped change the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lanie-lane/if-you-learn-something-that-changes-you-you-ve-made-progress-if-you/) [Lanie Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lanie-lane/) > [If you wanted to put the world to rights, who should you begin with: yourself or others?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/if-you-wanted-to-put-the-world-to-rights-who-should-you-begin-with/) [Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/) > [Paul Gray - he believed in my art, and I believed in his music. Together, we decided to change the world, and that's what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-crahan/paul-gray-he-believed-in-my-art-and-i-believed-in-his-music-together/) [Shawn Crahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-crahan/) > [If I wanted to change the world, the last thing I would do is write a play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/if-i-wanted-to-change-the-world-the-last-thing-i-would-do-is-write-a/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [Some women are meant to change the world, while others are meant to hold it together. And then there are those of us who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/some-women-are-meant-to-change-the-world-while-others-are-meant-to/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [Curiously, the righteous Pharisees had little historical impact, save for a brief time in a remote corner of the Roman Empire. But Jesus' disciples…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/curiously-the-righteous-pharisees-had-little-historical-impact-save/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [“if i am not in the world simply to adapt to it, but rather transform it, and if it is not possible to change…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-freire/if-i-am-not-in-the-world-simply-to-adapt-to-it-but-rather-transform/) [Paulo Freire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-freire/) > [I don't like lyrics to be overbearing. I like them to say something. But I'm not trying to change the world overnight. Something simple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-rodgers/i-don-t-like-lyrics-to-be-overbearing-i-like-them-to-say-something/) [Paul Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-rodgers/) > [Larry Kramer wisely realized so early on that to change the world, people have to know you. If they know you and see that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-murphy/larry-kramer-wisely-realized-so-early-on-that-to-change-the-world/) [Ryan Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-murphy/) > [“It takes a female to have a baby, It takes a woman to raise a child, It takes a mother to raise them correctly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/it-takes-a-female-to-have-a-baby-it-takes-a-woman-to-raise-a-child-it/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [Don't underestimate the power of your vision to change the world. Whether that world is your office, your community, an industry or a global…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-hood/don-t-underestimate-the-power-of-your-vision-to-change-the-world/) [Leroy Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-hood/) > [“I've been waiting for you a long time, Alina" He said. "You and I are going to change the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-been-waiting-for-you-a-long-time-alina-he-said-you-and-i-are/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [The most important thing in all human relationships is conversation, but people don’t talk anymore, they don’t sit down to talk and listen. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/the-most-important-thing-in-all-human-relationships-is-conversation/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [We can use our art to become political, to become something you want to talk about. We make clothes, but we have the chance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivier-rousteing/we-can-use-our-art-to-become-political-to-become-something-you-want/) [Olivier Rousteing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-rousteing/) > [“Live each day as if it's our last', that was the conventional advice, but really who had the energy for that? What if it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nicholls/live-each-day-as-if-it-s-our-last-that-was-the-conventional-advice/) [David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/) [Browse all 2,043 Change the world quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-the-world/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "But the most important lesson I have learned in my twenty years or research on morality is that nearly all people are morally motivated. 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