That's true...

But how would you truly know the difference in "the real world"?

And for that matter, why would it stand to be all that important?

If someone saves a puppy or works at a shelter or contributes money for a charitable cause, is their motive terribly important?

If they listen to a story and offer help or resources or simply an "ear", is it important why they are doing it if their motive does not ultimately cause harm?

If so, why is that?

A good deal of society is run the way it is because of laws, not because it is a moral imperitive to stop at a red light, but because it is for the greater good that we follow traffic signals- ultimately we hope to avoid collisions.

And not all people make the higher level logical thinking when they stop at the light- many just think "CRAP I don't want to get a ticket!"

So I guess...
My point is:

I know that when I listen to someone and try to help and offer solutions or point to resources, or give ideas, or whatever it is we talk about... I do that because I like helping people. I genuinely do; it is kind of my thing. ...I kind of just feel like it's what I'm supposed to do a lot of the time. [oh no, am I bragging?]

*shrug*

But, no one can actually know that about me?
No one can know why I'm here, why I talk to people, my motives, whether I'm actually a "good" person or not.

Ultimately, if I end up being a positive influence though, with no negative consequences, what is the actual difference?