--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Master Stanley used to tell me that what…" description: "\"“Master Stanley used to tell me that what I was doing was nowhere near as important as the place within myself from where I was doing it. For example, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/thom-hartmann-13946_desire-for-power_master-stanley-used-to-tell-me-that-what_2030713.jpg" --- # Master Stanley used to tell me that what I was doing was… ![“Master Stanley used to tell me that what I was doing was nowhere near as important as the place within myself from where I was doing it. For example, a person could be teaching others out of a selfless motive, or out of a desire for power or glory: the former had a positive impact on the world…” quote by Thom Hartmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/thom-hartmann-13946_desire-for-power_master-stanley-used-to-tell-me-that-what_2030713.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/thom-hartmann-13946_desire-for-power_master-stanley-used-to-tell-me-that-what_2030713.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/thom-hartmann-13946_desire-for-power_master-stanley-used-to-tell-me-that-what_2030713.jpg) > ““Master Stanley used to tell me that what I was doing was nowhere near as important as the place within myself from where I was doing it. For example, a person could be teaching others out of a selfless motive, or out of a desire for power or glory: the former had a positive impact on the world, whereas the latter had a negative impact, even though the same identical teaching may have been imparted. “It’s the spirit that’s important,” he would say. “It’s even more important than the act. Going to work in a gas station and providing for your family out of love is more important than creating a mighty religious work out of a desire for glory or power.”” [Thom Hartmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thom-hartmann/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The inner motivation behind actions matters more than the external act itself; selfless intent yields positive impact, while selfish motives can corrupt even noble deeds. **In simple terms:** Intent matters more than the act. Key Takeaway Cultivate selfless motives. Themes motivation ethics intent impact values Mood reflective thoughtful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - teaching - family work - religious creation - career choices Key Concepts selflessness power dynamics intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation Questions to Reflect On - What motivates your daily work? - How can you align actions with selfless intent? A Different Perspective Selfish motives can still produce harmful outcomes despite good actions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Desire for power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire-for-power/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Teaching others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teaching-others/) ## Related quotes > [Art brings to life things that can seemingly be dead, and can put a fresh perspective on things that are living. 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