text: anyone know what motivates bullies, and why they act the way they do? i had to deal with bullies growing up and can't stand anyone who acts this way, even now.  whenever i see kids acting like this around my kids i have to restrain myself from slapping them silly!what motivates them and why are there even adult bullies? in  general what i have learned is that most bullies are actually cowards... they are miserable people who sometimes being bullied at home or elsewhere..so they attack who they think is weak. some are spoiled brats... with little training.  low self esteem that has to be stroked by tearing down others.