What made him act on that?
His opinion. What made others act on that? His efforts to spread his opinion.

An opinion or belief isn't a neutral fact; it's a preparation for action.
( Flapjack I spay a little mare for you, Tue 3 Feb 2009, 10:40, archived)

utter bollocks,
so every opinion i have has to be acted upon? no it doesn't, you can use self restraint
( mongychops, Tue 3 Feb 2009, 10:43, archived)

That's not what I said
every belief is a preparation for action.

You'll use self-restraint if you believe that, say, upsetting people is less desirable than the thrill you'll get from upsetting them, or that you might get a smack in the chops for your troubles, or that it's not worth the effort.

Your desire to upset just outweighs your compassion, fear and apathy, is all.
( Flapjack I spay a little mare for you, Tue 3 Feb 2009, 10:48, archived)