Action Quote by Wendy Mass
“I've learned that the universe doesn't care what our motives are, only our actions. So we should do things that will bring about good, even if there is an element of selfishness involved. Like the kids at my school might join the Key Club or Future Buisness Leaders of America, because it's a social thing and looks good on their record, not because they really want to volunteer at the nursing home. But the people at the nursing home still benefit from it, so it's better that the kids do it than not do it. And if they never did it, then they wouldn't find out that they actually liked it.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: A Mango-Shaped Space, Wendy Mass, 2003
The universe is indifferent; only actions matter, so good deeds are valuable even if selfishly motivated.
In simple terms: Actions count, not motives; good deeds matter.
Key Takeaway
Focus on positive actions regardless of intent.
Themes
ethics
motivation
altruism
Mood
thoughtful
ethical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- volunteering
- school clubs
- community service
Key Concepts
consequentialism
selfishness
social benefit
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it okay to do good for the wrong reasons?
- How do intentions shape the value of actions?
A Different Perspective
Good outcomes can mask selfish motives, raising moral questions.
![“In my very first term there was an issue that brought us [George Mitchell, Ted Kennedy, Chris Dodd] together in a very deep, emotional, and personal level.It was called 'spousal impoverishment' and it meant that for one person [to go into] a nursing home, the family [ ], could go near bankruptcy…” quote by Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ad5/barbara-mikulski-8601_bankruptcy_in-my-very-first-term-there-was-an-issue_146180.jpg)
