Human nature Quote by Thomas B. Macaulay

I believe it is universally understood and acknowledged that all men will ever act correctly, unless they have a motive to do otherwise.

— Abraham Lincoln

I shall not fear to say that the doctrine of self-interest rightly understood seems to me of all the philosophic theories the most appropriate…

— Alexis de Tocqueville

Each man does seek his own interest, but, unfortunately, not according to the dictates of reason.

— Kenneth Waltz

“As to the right of men to act anywhere according to their pleasure, without any moral tie, no such right exists. Men are never…

— Edmund Burke

The theory that everyone acts from self-interest, direct or indirect, is psychologically unsound. . . . Throughout history . . . there have been…

— Corliss Lamont

A true man is always willing tohelp others. But a selfish nothing thinking except himself.

— Mak_786

Each man has his own desires; all do not possess the same inclinations.

— Anonymous

Every man, when he comes to be sensible of his natural rights, and to feel his own importance, will consider himself as fully equal…

— Joseph Priestley

So long as a man is faithful to himself, everything is in his favor, government, society, the very sun, moon, and stars.

— Henry David Thoreau

Human nature is so constituted, that all see and judge better in the affairs of other men than in their own.

— Terence

The motives of the best actions will not bear too strict an inquiry. It is allowed that the cause of most actions, good or…

— Jonathan Swift

A small knowledge of human nature will convince us, that, with far the greatest part of mankind, interest is the governing principle... Few men…

— George Washington