--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People are stupid; given proper…" description: "\"“People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything”\" — Terry Goodkind" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/279/terry-goodkind-924_motivation_people-are-stupid-given-proper-motivatio_3009404.jpg" --- # People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone… ![“People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything” quote by Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/279/terry-goodkind-924_motivation_people-are-stupid-given-proper-motivatio_3009404.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/279/terry-goodkind-924_motivation_people-are-stupid-given-proper-motivatio_3009404.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/279/terry-goodkind-924_motivation_people-are-stupid-given-proper-motivatio_3009404.jpg) > ““People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything”” [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People can be easily misled when they lack critical thinking, especially if motivated by strong incentives. **In simple terms:** Motivation can make people believe anything. Key Takeaway Cultivate critical thinking and question motives. Themes belief motivation critical thinking Mood cautious inquisitive Type philosophical warning When to use this quote - political propaganda - advertising - cult recruitment - online misinformation - groupthink Key Concepts psychology social influence information literacy Questions to Reflect On - What motivates you to accept claims? - How can you test information before believing? A Different Perspective Even motivated individuals may resist if evidence is compelling. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [People Are Stupid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-are-stupid/) ## Related quotes > [The Wizard's First Rule: People are stupid; given proper motivation almost anyone will believe almost anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/the-wizard-s-first-rule-people-are-stupid-given-proper-motivation/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything. BecauHse people are stupid, they will believe a lie because they want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zedd/people-are-stupid-given-proper-motivation-almost-anyone-will-believe-2/) [Zedd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zedd/) > [People are stupid. They will believe a lie because they want to believe it's true, or because they are afraid it might be true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/people-are-stupid-they-will-believe-a-lie-because-they-want-to/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [“Wizard’s First Rule: people are stupid.” Richard and Kahlan frowned even more. “People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/wizard-s-first-rule-people-are-stupid-richard-and-kahlan-frowned-even-2/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [“People’s heads are full of knowledge, facts, and beliefs, and most of it is false, yet they think it all true. People are stupid;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/people-s-heads-are-full-of-knowledge-facts-and-beliefs-and-most-of-it/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything. Because people are stupid, they will believe a lie because they want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/people-are-stupid-given-proper-motivation-almost-anyone-will-believe/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [“Wizard's First Rule: People are stupid”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/wizard-s-first-rule-people-are-stupid/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [Wizards First Rule: People are Stupid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/wizards-first-rule-people-are-stupid/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [“THOSE WHO THINK PEOPLE ARE STUPID ARE THE ONES THAT ARE STUPID.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-stuck/those-who-think-people-are-stupid-are-the-ones-that-are-stupid/) DAWN STUCK > [“That other people can often see things about you that you yourself cannot see, even if those people are stupid.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/that-other-people-can-often-see-things-about-you-that-you-yourself/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [Lots of white people think black people are stupid. They are stupid themselves for thinking so, but regulation will not make them smarter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-l-carter/lots-of-white-people-think-black-people-are-stupid-they-are-stupid/) [Stephen L. Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-l-carter/) > [I feel like the world is getting dumber. I don't necessarily think people are stupid, but I think we're getting dumber.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-d/i-feel-like-the-world-is-getting-dumber-i-don-t-necessarily-think/) J.I.D > [If you look at their voting habits and their eating habits, you realize people are stupid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupaul/if-you-look-at-their-voting-habits-and-their-eating-habits-you/) [RuPaul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupaul/) > [Sure the people are stupid: the human race is stupid. Sure Congress is an inefficient instrument of government. But the people are not stupid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-devoto/sure-the-people-are-stupid-the-human-race-is-stupid-sure-congress-is/) [Bernard DeVoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-devoto/) > [Unfortunately, a lot of people are stupid. They take drugs. They get drunk and do all the wrong things in life. I just played…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-vinton/unfortunately-a-lot-of-people-are-stupid-they-take-drugs-they-get/) [Bobby Vinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-vinton/) ## More by Terry Goodkind > [Sometimes, it is necessary to step beyond what you have known and to reach for something more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/sometimes-it-is-necessary-to-step-beyond-what-you-have-known-and-to/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [“It should hurt, shouldn’t it? Shouldn’t it hurt to be ripped in half? But it didn’t. It didn’t hurt the least little bit. Cold.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/it-should-hurt-shouldn-t-it-shouldn-t-it-hurt-to-be-ripped-in-half/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [Dancing with death meant being committed to killing, committed with your heart and soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/dancing-with-death-meant-being-committed-to-killing-committed-with/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [Only a fool walks into the future backwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/only-a-fool-walks-into-the-future-backwards/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [“Sometimes it's more important to seize the chance and do what you can even knowing that it won't likely account for everything, that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/sometimes-it-s-more-important-to-seize-the-chance-and-do-what-you-can/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [“While it was understandable to be afraid, and no one would expect you not to be, the worst thing you could do was to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/while-it-was-understandable-to-be-afraid-and-no-one-would-expect-you/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [“Leadership is a nurturing of those under your command.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/leadership-is-a-nurturing-of-those-under-your-command/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [“To question me once is a simple mistake, Lieutenant. Twice is treason. We execute traitors.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/to-question-me-once-is-a-simple-mistake-lieutenant-twice-is-treason/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [Fate does not seek our consent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/fate-does-not-seek-our-consent/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [Wizard's Third Rule Passion rules reason, For better or for worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/wizard-s-third-rule-passion-rules-reason-for-better-or-for-worse/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [“Nicci looked up at Kahlan. “Knives are not my talent.” “It’s not hard,” Kahlan said as she pressed the handle into Nicci’s hand. “When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/nicci-looked-up-at-kahlan-knives-are-not-my-talent-it-s-not-hard/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [“This was why he couldn’t let Richard know it was the chimes themselves that were loose. Richard would not have accepted what Zedd intended,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/this-was-why-he-couldn-t-let-richard-know-it-was-the-chimes/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [“price. There is no such thing as pure good or pure evil, least of all in people. In the best of us there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/price-there-is-no-such-thing-as-pure-good-or-pure-evil-least-of-all/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [The first step to believing something is true is wanting to believe it is true... or being afraid it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/the-first-step-to-believing-something-is-true-is-wanting-to-believe/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [...you'll find that being a friend is to like a person for who they are, even the parts you don't understand. You don't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/you-ll-find-that-being-a-friend-is-to-like-a-person-for-who-they-are/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) [Explore all 323 Terry Goodkind quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) ## More Motivation quotes > [Some people give you that motivation to work harder simply to get the hell away from wherever they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dane-cook/some-people-give-you-that-motivation-to-work-harder-simply-to-get-the/) [Dane Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dane-cook/) > [My embarrassing confession is that my father is a 'Camelot: The Musical' obsessive. So as a child, when we were going to visit relatives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-chibnall/my-embarrassing-confession-is-that-my-father-is-a-camelot-the-musical/) [Chris Chibnall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-chibnall/) > [Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined, and connected to one another. And when that drive is liberated, people achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/human-beings-have-an-innate-inner-drive-to-be-autonomous-self/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [Every human creates his own problems. Problems are ones private property and we shouldnt meddle into them self-initiatively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruben-papian/every-human-creates-his-own-problems-problems-are-ones-private/) [Ruben Papian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruben-papian/) > [One needs more than ambition and talent to make a success of anything, really. There must be love and a vocation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessye-norman/one-needs-more-than-ambition-and-talent-to-make-a-success-of-anything/) [Jessye Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessye-norman/) > [“Now you," Grandma barks at him. "Yes, you, the invisible truck driver," she added, giving me a wicked grin. "Go stand next to Rose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/now-you-grandma-barks-at-him-yes-you-the-invisible-truck-driver-she/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [“Fear of seeing a police car pull into the drive. Fear of falling asleep at night. Fear of not falling asleep. Fear of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/fear-of-seeing-a-police-car-pull-into-the-drive-fear-of-falling/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-not-willing-to-learn-no-one-can-help-you-if-you-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Have a Blast; Life wont last! Make the best of the journey before it is over!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/have-a-blast-life-wont-last-make-the-best-of-the-journey-before-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is like riding on a bus. God is the driver and I am the passenger. Have faith God knows which route to take.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jefroy-hanson/life-is-like-riding-on-a-bus-god-is-the-driver-and-i-am-the-passenger/) [Jefroy Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jefroy-hanson/) > [“Friction is necessary. Ease of life leads to complacency and the atrophy of the human will and spirit. Within our struggles lives our strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-versey/friction-is-necessary-ease-of-life-leads-to-complacency-and-the/) [Jason Versey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-versey/) > [When you heed the calling of your heart, you are following your purpose. Having purpose in your life gives you the courage to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-britten/when-you-heed-the-calling-of-your-heart-you-are-following-your/) [Rhonda Britten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-britten/) > [Needs cause motivation. Deep-rooted desires for esteem, affection, belonging, achievement, self-actualization, power, and control motivate us to push for what we want and need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorii-myers/needs-cause-motivation-deep-rooted-desires-for-esteem-affection/) [Lorii Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorii-myers/) > [Life is going to hit you some line drives, and sometimes you'll have to think fast. However, it's better to think first than to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bytheway/life-is-going-to-hit-you-some-line-drives-and-sometimes-you-ll-have/) [John Bytheway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bytheway/) [Browse all 14,479 Motivation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Terry Goodkind" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/people-are-stupid-given-proper-motivation-almost-anyone-will-believe-3/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Motivation" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/people-are-stupid-given-proper-motivation-almost-anyone-will-believe-3/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/279/terry-goodkind-924_motivation_people-are-stupid-given-proper-motivatio_3009404.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/279/terry-goodkind-924_motivation_people-are-stupid-given-proper-motivatio_3009404.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/279/terry-goodkind-924_motivation_people-are-stupid-given-proper-motivatio_3009404.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything” — Terry Goodkind", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Terry Goodkind", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“People are stupid; given proper motivation,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/people-are-stupid-given-proper-motivation-almost-anyone-will-believe-3/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/people-are-stupid-given-proper-motivation-almost-anyone-will-believe-3/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```