"What we believe to be the motives of our conduct are usually but the pretexts for it"

This quote by Miguel de Unamuno recommends that our motivations for our actions are frequently not what we think they are. We might believe that we are doing something for one factor, however in truth, there is normally something else driving us. This could be a subconscious desire or a hidden agenda. We might believe that we are doing something for the higher excellent, however in reality, we might be doing it for our own benefit. This quote motivates us to take a step back and reflect on our motivations for our actions. It recommends that we need to be honest with ourselves and take a more detailed take a look at our true intents. By doing this, we can make sure that our actions are truly in line with our values and beliefs.