--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think the reason we might hesitate to…" description: "\"I think the reason we might hesitate to pay cash to students for doing well on tests or getting good grades or reading books is that we sense that the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2da/michael-sandel-10344_book_i-think-the-reason-we-might-hesitate-to_852834.jpg" --- # I think the reason we might hesitate to pay cash to… ![“I think the reason we might hesitate to pay cash to students for doing well on tests or getting good grades or reading books is that we sense that the monetary payment is an extrinsic reward.” quote by Michael Sandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2da/michael-sandel-10344_book_i-think-the-reason-we-might-hesitate-to_852834.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2da/michael-sandel-10344_book_i-think-the-reason-we-might-hesitate-to_852834.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2da/michael-sandel-10344_book_i-think-the-reason-we-might-hesitate-to_852834.jpg) > “I think the reason we might hesitate to pay cash to students for doing well on tests or getting good grades or reading books is that we sense that the monetary payment is an extrinsic reward.” [Michael Sandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sandel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Monetary rewards can undermine intrinsic motivation for learning, making students focus on money rather than curiosity. **In simple terms:** Money can reduce love drive to learn. Key Takeaway Avoid paying for learning; foster curiosity. Themes motivation education intrinsic vs extrinsic rewards Mood reflective critical Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - classroom incentives - parental rewards - scholarship programs - student engagement Key Concepts behavioral economics self-determination theory Questions to Reflect On - How does money affect your own learning? - Can non‑monetary recognition be as effective? A Different Perspective Extrinsic rewards may not sustain long‑term learning and can create dependency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Getting Good Grades](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting-good-grades/) [Good grades](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-grades/) [Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading/) [Reading books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading-books/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Students](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/students/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [The problem with making an extrinsic reward the only destination that matters is that some people will choose the quickest route there, even if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-problem-with-making-an-extrinsic-reward-the-only-destination-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [People in college, if you're getting recognized for getting good grades, you're finally famous. 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Men pay in cash to get them and pay in cash to get rid of them. Women pay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hedy-lamarr/it-s-funny-about-men-and-women-men-pay-in-cash-to-get-them-and-pay-in/) [Hedy Lamarr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hedy-lamarr/) ## More by Michael Sandel > [It is true that the Jewish tradition emphasizes the moral mandate to save life. 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