Full Idea
Every act should be considered from the point of view not of its object but of its compulsion. The question is not 'What is the aim?' It is 'What is the origin?'.
Gist of Idea
What matters about an action is not its aim, but the origin of its compulsion
Source
Simone Weil (Gravity and Grace [1942], 'Necessity')
Book Reference
Weil,Simone: 'Gravity and Grace', ed/tr. Crawford/De Ruhr [Routledge 1952], p.45
A Reaction
Doubtful. It is notoriously difficult to know the origins of our motivations. What of the well meaning fool, who has nice origins for motives, but misjudges the aims?