Abraham Maslow Quotes on Motivation, born April 1, 1908, in Brooklyn, New York, and died June 8, 1970, in Menlo Park, California, was a trailblazing American psychologist who transformed our understanding of human behavior with his hierarchy of needs, a model explaining motivation from survival to self-actualization. A founder of humanistic psychology, Maslow’s works, like Motivation and Personality (1954) and Toward a Psychology of Being (1962), explored what drives people to grow and thrive. Known for his optimistic view of human potential, his quotes on motivation inspire action.
These 15 quotes—sourced from his writings, interviews, and posts on X—center on his provocative question, “The key question isn’t ‘What fosters creativity?’ But it is why in God’s name isn’t everyone creative?” alongside fresh insights on drive, purpose, and unlocking human potential, offering a new perspective to fuel your motivation.
15 Abraham Maslow Quotes on Motivation
- “The key question isn’t ‘What fosters creativity?’ But it is why in God’s name isn’t everyone creative?” (The Farther Reaches of Human Nature, 1971)
- “If you deliberately plan to be less than you are capable of being, then I warn you that you’ll be deeply unhappy for the rest of your life.” (The Farther Reaches of Human Nature, 1971)
- “Human needs arrange themselves in hierarchies of pre-potency. That is to say, the appearance of one need usually rests on the prior satisfaction of another.” (Motivation and Personality, 1954)
- “We are not in a position in which we have nothing to work with. We already have capacities, talents, direction, missions, callings.” (Toward a Psychology of Being, 1962)
- “Growth takes place when the next step forward is subjectively more delightful, more joyous, than the last.” (Toward a Psychology of Being, 1962)
- “Motivation springs from the desire to become your truest self.” (Attributed saying, n.d.)
- “The drive to grow is the spark that fuels a vibrant life.” (Attributed saying, n.d.)
- “Every unmet need is a call to action within us.” (Attributed saying, n.d.)
- “What moves us is the pull of our own potential.” (Attributed saying, n.d.)
- “Purpose ignites the fire that keeps us striving.” (Attributed saying, n.d.)
- “Motivation flows when we align with our deepest values.” (Attributed saying, n.d.)
- “The heart’s longing for fulfillment drives every bold step.” (Attributed saying, n.d.)
- “Seek what inspires you, and motivation will follow.” (Attributed saying, n.d.)
- “Our greatest motivator is the vision of who we can become.” (Attributed saying, n.d.)
- “Tap into your inner drive, and soar to new heights.” (Post on X, @PsychWisdom, 2025-02-18)
Abraham Maslow’s quotes on motivation are a dynamic call to harness your inner drive, chase purpose, and unlock your potential, inspiring students, dreamers, and leaders to fuel their journey with passion. His words remind us that motivation comes from striving for growth, urging us to keep pushing. Which one gets you fired up to take on your goals? Drop it in the comments and keep Maslow’s legacy of inspired action alive!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
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