--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Inspiration is being motivated by a…" description: "\"Inspiration is being motivated by a person or idea. Motivation is being inspired by an object. When people are inspired, they don't need motivation.\" —..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c88/thomas-leonard-18077_ideas_inspiration-is-being-motivated-by-a-pers_859815.png" --- # Inspiration is being motivated by a person or idea… ![“Inspiration is being motivated by a person or idea. Motivation is being inspired by an object. When people are inspired, they don't need motivation.” quote by Thomas Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c88/thomas-leonard-18077_ideas_inspiration-is-being-motivated-by-a-pers_859815.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c88/thomas-leonard-18077_ideas_inspiration-is-being-motivated-by-a-pers_859815.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c88/thomas-leonard-18077_ideas_inspiration-is-being-motivated-by-a-pers_859815.png) > “Inspiration is being motivated by a person or idea. Motivation is being inspired by an object. When people are inspired, they don't need motivation.” [Thomas Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-leonard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Inspiration arises internally, while motivation is external; true inspiration eliminates the need for external push. **In simple terms:** Inspiration is internal, motivation external. Key Takeaway Cultivate inner inspiration to reduce reliance on external motivation. Themes self‑growth psychology leadership creativity Mood motivational insightful Type self‑help leadership When to use this quote - personal development - team building - creative projects - coaching sessions Key Concepts intrinsic motivation self‑determination purpose Questions to Reflect On - What internal sources inspire you? - How can you shift from motivation to inspiration? A Different Perspective Overreliance on external motivation can hinder autonomy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) [Inspiration Motivated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration-motivated-839914/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Inspired](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspired/) [Motivated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivated/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Motivation Inspired](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation-inspired-839915/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Objects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objects/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) ## Related quotes > [Making one's motivation, to be inspired by a quote, good thingsare but copied it as well!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/making-one-s-motivation-to-be-inspired-by-a-quote-good-thingsare-but/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) > [Leadership is the capacity to influence others through inspiration motivated by passion, generated by vision, produced by a conviction, ignited by a purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myles-munroe/leadership-is-the-capacity-to-influence-others-through-inspiration/) [Myles Munroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myles-munroe/) > [Act by inspiration, motivated by love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-m-nelson/act-by-inspiration-motivated-by-love/) [Russell M. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-m-nelson/) > [“There are two powerful fuels, two forces; motivation and inspiration. To be motivated you need to know what your motives are. Over time -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rasheed-ogunlaru/there-are-two-powerful-fuels-two-forces-motivation-and-inspiration-to/) [Rasheed Ogunlaru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rasheed-ogunlaru/) > [Ive learned that no matter how inspired, fired up and motivated you might be, the dark clouds will always set in](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/ive-learned-that-no-matter-how-inspired-fired-up-and-motivated-you/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [They offered me that film before I did Frida and I said, no, I'm not capable of directing. Then after seeing Julie direct, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salma-hayek/they-offered-me-that-film-before-i-did-frida-and-i-said-no-i-m-not/) [Salma Hayek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salma-hayek/) > [I think every single point will be important, .. I think more than anything, I'll just have to be able to compete better. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/venus-williams/i-think-every-single-point-will-be-important-i-think-more-than/) [Venus Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/venus-williams/) > [“When a protector leaves you, it looks like the end of the world. But you gradually learn to walk by your own feet”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bangambiki-habyarimana/when-a-protector-leaves-you-it-looks-like-the-end-of-the-world-but/) [Bangambiki Habyarimana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bangambiki-habyarimana/) > [Duane Allman inspired the group to explore the extended jam format that was already a staple of the Allman Brothers act. Moreover, his ferocious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-whitlock/duane-allman-inspired-the-group-to-explore-the-extended-jam-format/) [Bob Whitlock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-whitlock/) > [I pretend no originality in observing that mass education was motivated in part by the perceived need to "educate them to keep them from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/i-pretend-no-originality-in-observing-that-mass-education-was/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Friendship is a serious affection; the most sublime of all affections, because it is founded on principle, and cemented by time. The very reverse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft/friendship-is-a-serious-affection-the-most-sublime-of-all-affections/) [Mary Wollstonecraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft/) > [I'm motivated by injustice, which is embedded and constant and wrong - not by a vernacular soundboard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-richards/i-m-motivated-by-injustice-which-is-embedded-and-constant-and-wrong/) [Amy Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-richards/) > [Goals not only help you develop initial motivation by making your dreams obtainable, but they also help you continue to be motivated and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/goals-not-only-help-you-develop-initial-motivation-by-making-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [I've never been motivated by money. My peers and colleagues inspire me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-chase/i-ve-never-been-motivated-by-money-my-peers-and-colleagues-inspire-me/) [Robin Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-chase/) > [What keeps me motivated is not the food itself but all the bonds and memories the food represents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chiarello/what-keeps-me-motivated-is-not-the-food-itself-but-all-the-bonds-and/) [Michael Chiarello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chiarello/) ## More by Thomas Leonard > [Clarity affords focus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-leonard/clarity-affords-focus/) [Thomas Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-leonard/) > [Ego is good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-leonard/ego-is-good/) [Thomas Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-leonard/) > [The Top 10 Most Effective Things That You Can Say: 1. Thank you very much. 2, You are so right. 3. How can I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-leonard/the-top-10-most-effective-things-that-you-can-say-1-thank-you-very/) [Thomas Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-leonard/) > [An expert knows the subject very well. A model teaches by showing instead of just telling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-leonard/an-expert-knows-the-subject-very-well-a-model-teaches-by-showing/) [Thomas Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-leonard/) > [Don't be drab.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-leonard/don-t-be-drab/) [Thomas Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-leonard/) > [Either you are creating your life or the circumstances are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-leonard/either-you-are-creating-your-life-or-the-circumstances-are/) [Thomas Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-leonard/) > [Inspiration is a sustainable internal glow which pulls you forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-leonard/inspiration-is-a-sustainable-internal-glow-which-pulls-you-forward/) [Thomas Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-leonard/) > [Balance is overrated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-leonard/balance-is-overrated/) [Thomas Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-leonard/) > [What is left unsaid gets in the way of the relationship. What is left unasked-for is a missed opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-leonard/what-is-left-unsaid-gets-in-the-way-of-the-relationship-what-is-left/) [Thomas Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-leonard/) > [Bigness is better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-leonard/bigness-is-better/) [Thomas Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-leonard/) > [Movement isn't progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-leonard/movement-isn-t-progress/) [Thomas Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-leonard/) > [Integrity reveals beauty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-leonard/integrity-reveals-beauty/) [Thomas Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-leonard/) > [Get your personal needs met, once and for all; if you have unmet needs, you'll attract others in the same position.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-leonard/get-your-personal-needs-met-once-and-for-all-if-you-have-unmet-needs/) [Thomas Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-leonard/) > [Ask yourself, 'what's more important - being real and being myself, or becoming successful? And ask the question knowing that you never actually have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-leonard/ask-yourself-what-s-more-important-being-real-and-being-myself-or/) [Thomas Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-leonard/) > [Rise above yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-leonard/rise-above-yourself/) [Thomas Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-leonard/) [Explore all 34 Thomas Leonard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-leonard/) ## More Ideas quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [Companies with cultures that celebrate diverse opinions and encourage the exchange of ideas have an advantage when solving difficult problems. A company that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-mcmillon/companies-with-cultures-that-celebrate-diverse-opinions-and-encourage/) [Doug McMillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-mcmillon/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [I know for my wife and I, we always loved the idea of being young parents. It is an incredibly inspiring and challenging job…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hanson/i-know-for-my-wife-and-i-we-always-loved-the-idea-of-being-young/) [Taylor Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hanson/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [I've always been fascinated by the idea that there's no such thing as evil; it's all in your point of view. To one group…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-roth/i-ve-always-been-fascinated-by-the-idea-that-there-s-no-such-thing-as/) [Eli Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-roth/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [It revealed a cruelty that really made one wonder if the universe was such a good idea after all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-lindsay/it-revealed-a-cruelty-that-really-made-one-wonder-if-the-universe-was/) [Jeff Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-lindsay/) > [Sometimes it's just enough for me to have the idea. I don't need to see it through to the end. When it actually happens,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/sometimes-it-s-just-enough-for-me-to-have-the-idea-i-don-t-need-to/) [Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) > [Love is like that, fragile and light. No wonder it rests upon our hearts in intangible moments, bids us follow fleeting thoughts and ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-like-that-fragile-and-light-no-wonder-it-rests-upon-our/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [But I already saw no great difference between the psyche and spirituality. To amass knowledge without becoming wise is not my idea of progress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-scott-peck/but-i-already-saw-no-great-difference-between-the-psyche-and/) [M. Scott Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-scott-peck/) > [Making movies seemed so impossible as far as getting my ideas funded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boots-riley/making-movies-seemed-so-impossible-as-far-as-getting-my-ideas-funded/) [Boots Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boots-riley/) > [I am not the avant-garde. I am the artist who comes after the advancing guard. I am more concerned with continuity of ideas and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-oliveira/i-am-not-the-avant-garde-i-am-the-artist-who-comes-after-the/) [Nathan Oliveira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-oliveira/) > [What is music? Music is language. A human being wants to express ideas in this language, but not ideas that can be translated into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-webern/what-is-music-music-is-language-a-human-being-wants-to-express-ideas/) [Anton Webern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-webern/) > [“What does it mean to be a self-conscious animal? The idea is ludicrous, if it is not monstrous. It means to know that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-becker/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-self-conscious-animal-the-idea-is-ludicrous/) [Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/) [Browse all 24,908 Ideas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Inspiration is being motivated by a person or idea. Motivation is being inspired by an object. 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