Is it wrong to start a startup just for the money?

If the only reason you're starting a business is to get rich, then you'll likely fail.

However, if you're not interested at all in attaining at least one purely selfish goal (like money, power, recognition, etc.), you'll also likely fail.

That's the paradox: you need to both believe in your vision and also have a few selfish goals.  If you create something great that benefits the world, you deserve some selfish gain and it is ok to want it and crave for it -- that inner "want" will propel you to be a better creator, a better entrepreneur, and a better leader.

Suppose you start a venture. If you are not making money soon enough, you will be willing to give up and try something else. Motivation is important because only if you are motivated you won't give up during the tough times.

But here is something to inspire you by. My only motivation has been money. From March 2012 till September 2013, I spent about 12hrs a day working at my business. I don't have many friends. I was feeling miserable because I was thinking why am I not having fun, when this is the age I should be doing it. I asked myself will it be worth it? Here I am sitting in my office, alone while this whole world around me is having fun. I thought about everything that I won't get, what if I don't make it? If I fail? I would have wasted this time doing nothing. This thought brought a tear to my eyes and guess where it fell? On THE  keyboard. Yes I was still working it even then. I knew whatever happens I am not giving up. I had to make it, I just had to. 

Anyways let's continue with the story, to give you some inspiration.  I launched my business. After the launch, for 60 days, I worked for many hrs a day, spamming the shit out of internet, telling the world about my business. I used to sleep only when I couldn't open my eyes. I used to eat while spamming. Now after 5 1/2 months, NOTHING. 

My income wasn't good, but still I had managed to create a steady supplemental income. And then nothing. My motive was purely money. 

When I was working, my love for the money was much much more than anything else. Now the question is, are you motivated enough, by money? Probably not, it will be easier if you find a passion, because then the intensity of pain will decrease. Do something you are passionate about. Something you can use to help other, not your wallet. Focus on helping others and make sure your motivation is NOT about money.

Oh the money will come because if you help enough people get what they want, them you will have plenty of money.