--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We rarely know what motivates somebody in…" description: "\"We rarely know what motivates somebody in their work, and it's usually a particular moment in their life. For me, that moment is my brother's incarcera..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c1/patrisse-cullors-5946_abuse_we-rarely-know-what-motivates-somebody-i_3011217.jpg" --- # We rarely know what motivates somebody in their work, and… ![“We rarely know what motivates somebody in their work, and it's usually a particular moment in their life. For me, that moment is my brother's incarceration and the ways in which this country has decided to neglect, abuse, and sometimes torture people with severe mental illness, especially if…” quote by Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c1/patrisse-cullors-5946_abuse_we-rarely-know-what-motivates-somebody-i_3011217.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c1/patrisse-cullors-5946_abuse_we-rarely-know-what-motivates-somebody-i_3011217.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c1/patrisse-cullors-5946_abuse_we-rarely-know-what-motivates-somebody-i_3011217.jpg) > “We rarely know what motivates somebody in their work, and it's usually a particular moment in their life. For me, that moment is my brother's incarceration and the ways in which this country has decided to neglect, abuse, and sometimes torture people with severe mental illness, especially if they're black.” [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Personal motivation often stems from pivotal life events, especially experiences of injustice, which can drive activism and advocacy. **In simple terms:** Motivation can arise from personal trauma and societal issues. Key Takeaway Channel personal pain into purposeful action. Themes activism social justice personal trauma Mood determined empathetic Type activist reflective When to use this quote - community organizing - policy reform - support groups - public speaking Key Concepts psychology of motivation systemic oppression mental health advocacy Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance activism with self‑care? - What support systems help sustain you? A Different Perspective Personal trauma may lead to burnout if not managed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse/) [Brother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brother/) [Brother Incarceration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brother-incarceration-4829268/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Incarceration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incarceration/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Mental illness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mental-illness/) [Motivates Somebody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivates-somebody-3956353/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Torture People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/torture-people-981251/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [Its important to know what motivates you, not what motivates somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candy-crowley/its-important-to-know-what-motivates-you-not-what-motivates-somebody/) [Candy Crowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candy-crowley/) > [It's important to know what motivates you, not what motivates somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candy-crowley/it-s-important-to-know-what-motivates-you-not-what-motivates-somebody/) [Candy Crowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candy-crowley/) > [We have a serious problem with incarceration in this country. It's destroying families, it's destroying communities and we're the most incarcerated country in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-legend/we-have-a-serious-problem-with-incarceration-in-this-country-it-s/) [John Legend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-legend/) > [When we torture people, even if we win the battle, we've already lost the war for hearts and minds. Especially our own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-ornish/when-we-torture-people-even-if-we-win-the-battle-we-ve-already-lost/) [Dean Ornish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-ornish/) > [One can have great concern for the people of Ethiopia, but it's another thing to inflict daily torture on the people of England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-morrissey/one-can-have-great-concern-for-the-people-of-ethiopia-but-it-s/) [Steven Morrissey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-morrissey/) > [“Do you think we’re like you Americans in Abu Ghraib and Guantánamo who torture people by keeping them thirsty? We have something called ra’fateh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maziar-bahari/do-you-think-we-re-like-you-americans-in-abu-ghraib-and-guant-namo/) [Maziar Bahari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maziar-bahari/) > [A day will come when a cannon will be exhibited in museums, just as instruments of torture are now, and the people will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/a-day-will-come-when-a-cannon-will-be-exhibited-in-museums-just-as/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [It's not acceptable to torture people for being themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-not-acceptable-to-torture-people-for-being-themselves/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The United States military is now using the music of Metallica and other heavy metal bands to break the will of Saddam Hussein supporters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/the-united-states-military-is-now-using-the-music-of-metallica-and/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [ “\[One of the biggest differences between him and his rivals for the Republican nomination was\] "every one of them wants to torture people. It's… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/one-of-the-biggest-differences-between-him-and-his-rivals-for-the/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [“When they tear a workingman's hand in a machine or kill him, you can understand-- the workingman himself is at fault. But in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxim-gorky/when-they-tear-a-workingman-s-hand-in-a-machine-or-kill-him-you-can/) [Maxim Gorky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxim-gorky/) > [How great the lie right to the top: We don't torture people in America and people who say we do simply know nothing about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/how-great-the-lie-right-to-the-top-we-don-t-torture-people-in-america/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [“Yeah, all right, but everyone knows they torture people," mumbled Sam. "Do they?" said Vimes. "Then why doesn't anyone do anything about it?" "'cos…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/yeah-all-right-but-everyone-knows-they-torture-people-mumbled-sam-do/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [Torture gives you reliable and unreliable information. That's the reason why most people in the world don't do it. So this idea that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/torture-gives-you-reliable-and-unreliable-information-that-s-the/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [Life, is torture , people use you betray you steal from you , you have to pay the government to exist through taxes ,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jfs/life-is-torture-people-use-you-betray-you-steal-from-you-you-have-to/) [JFS](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jfs/) ## More by Patrisse Cullors > [I think our work as movement leaders isn't just about our own visibility but rather how do we make the whole visible. How do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/i-think-our-work-as-movement-leaders-isn-t-just-about-our-own/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [I've been an activist since I was a teenager. I was always curious about what we would now call social justice. I remember just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/i-ve-been-an-activist-since-i-was-a-teenager-i-was-always-curious/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > ['The Story of Us with Morgan Freeman' is a reminder that people across the world are rebelling against norms and forging new paths for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/the-story-of-us-with-morgan-freeman-is-a-reminder-that-people-across/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [Racism has its boot squarely wedged on the neck of black communities, and we don't want to be told that hard work and responsibility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/racism-has-its-boot-squarely-wedged-on-the-neck-of-black-communities/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [I don't like how cruel humans can be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/i-don-t-like-how-cruel-humans-can-be/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [Trump is literally the epitome of evil, all the evils of this country - be it racism, capitalism, sexism, homophobia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/trump-is-literally-the-epitome-of-evil-all-the-evils-of-this-country/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [We have to look at queerness as a means towards challenging normativity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/we-have-to-look-at-queerness-as-a-means-towards-challenging/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [The unfortunate reality is the alt-right has captured white people's imagination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/the-unfortunate-reality-is-the-alt-right-has-captured-white-people-s/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [Since his inauguration, Trump has signed numerous executive orders that negatively impact poor, black and brown, queer, Muslim, and other communities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/since-his-inauguration-trump-has-signed-numerous-executive-orders/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [I want to see Black Lives Matter be able to ultimately reduce law enforcement funding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/i-want-to-see-black-lives-matter-be-able-to-ultimately-reduce-law/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [Colin Kaepernick is one of the leaders in the movement for black lives. His role as an athlete and activist is not only motivating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/colin-kaepernick-is-one-of-the-leaders-in-the-movement-for-black/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [White people who voted for Trump decided to invest in a president who underwrites white supremacy in the guise of populism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/white-people-who-voted-for-trump-decided-to-invest-in-a-president-who/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [When I was younger, I had these romantic ideas about the Black Panther Party and what it meant to be a part of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/when-i-was-younger-i-had-these-romantic-ideas-about-the-black-panther/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [I fight to prioritize black mothers and black children because we deserve to live in a world where our healing is centered and our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/i-fight-to-prioritize-black-mothers-and-black-children-because-we/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [Each and every one of us has multiple identities, and this is a fact that should be celebrated. I for example, am a queer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/each-and-every-one-of-us-has-multiple-identities-and-this-is-a-fact/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) [Explore all 100 Patrisse Cullors quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) ## More Abuse quotes > [I wrote when I was a young teen, but I didn't put an eye on the available markets until I was seventeen. The next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reed/i-wrote-when-i-was-a-young-teen-but-i-didn-t-put-an-eye-on-the/) [Robert Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reed/) > [Amongst the financial Twitterati, the term 'muppets' has come to describe any client used and abused by some financial predator. I've adopted the term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/amongst-the-financial-twitterati-the-term-muppets-has-come-to/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) > [Being nice is okay,but don't allow anybody to abuse it...try to fight for your self when you know your on the right way...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-nice-is-okay-but-don-t-allow-anybody-to-abuse-it-try-to-fight/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Build a bridge over shame by teaching kids about sexual abuse. Give them a chance to run to us should they encounter it. Be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-byers-ruch/build-a-bridge-over-shame-by-teaching-kids-about-sexual-abuse-give/) [Carolyn Byers Ruch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-byers-ruch/) > [It is sure that those are most desirous of honour or glory who cry out loudest of its abuse and the vanity of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baruch-spinoza/it-is-sure-that-those-are-most-desirous-of-honour-or-glory-who-cry/) [Baruch Spinoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baruch-spinoza/) > [“The sole reason I stand to open it up now is that lots of people who are in pain just like I was, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-dsouza/the-sole-reason-i-stand-to-open-it-up-now-is-that-lots-of-people-who/) [Patricia Dsouza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-dsouza/) > [Democracy must be built through open societies that share information. When there is information, there is enlightenment. When there is debate, there are solutions.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atifete-jahjaga/democracy-must-be-built-through-open-societies-that-share-information/) [Atifete Jahjaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atifete-jahjaga/) > [I have a theory that all abuse, no matter what kind of abuse it is, is foremost an assault on the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-westover/i-have-a-theory-that-all-abuse-no-matter-what-kind-of-abuse-it-is-is/) [Tara Westover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-westover/) > [“Blaming therapy, social work and other caring professions for the confabulation of testimony of 'satanic ritual abuse' legitimated a programme of political and social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-salter/blaming-therapy-social-work-and-other-caring-professions-for-the/) [Michael Salter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-salter/) > [Finally, the scariest thing about abuse of any shape or form, is, in my opinion, not the abuse itself, but that if it continues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cumming/finally-the-scariest-thing-about-abuse-of-any-shape-or-form-is-in-my/) [Alan Cumming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cumming/) > [“Research on organised abuse emphasises the diversity of organised abuse cases, and the ways in which serious forms of child maltreatment cluster in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-salter/research-on-organised-abuse-emphasises-the-diversity-of-organised/) [Michael Salter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-salter/) > [“Stand up for yourself. Never give any one permission to abuse you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/stand-up-for-yourself-never-give-any-one-permission-to-abuse-you/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [All governments should be pressured to correct their abuses of human rights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-stallman/all-governments-should-be-pressured-to-correct-their-abuses-of-human/) [Richard Stallman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-stallman/) > [“Words are free. It does not mean you should abuse them. Be kind with them. They will mirror your actions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hadinet-tekie/words-are-free-it-does-not-mean-you-should-abuse-them-be-kind-with/) [Hadinet Tekie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hadinet-tekie/) > [My illness is one often characterized by dramatic overspending - in my case through frenzied shopping sprees, credit card abuse, excessive hoarding of unnecessary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-behrman/my-illness-is-one-often-characterized-by-dramatic-overspending-in-my/) [Andy Behrman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-behrman/) [Browse all 3,113 Abuse quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We rarely know what motivates somebody in their work, and it's usually a particular moment in their life. 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