What are Thanos's motivations for destroying the Infinity Stones?

Question

Concerning his motivation to destroy the stones, Thanos stated that:

The universe required correction. After that, the stones served no purpose beyond temptation.

I am wondering who is being tempted here?

Is the temptation Thanos's own? Or is it temptation from outside forces? I suspect, given the context of the statement, that the temptation is from outside forces (e.g. somebody wanting to use the stones to undo what Thanos had done: the snap).

Which leads me to ask - is there anyone powerful enough in the MCU to have wrested the stones from Thanos, now that he had all 6 and was effectively omnipotent? Is Captain Marvel plus support from the other surviving Avengers powerful enough to take on Thanos when he is wielding all 6 Infinity Stones?

I suspect that nobody could have taken the stones from Thanos, but then I am puzzled as to why he would destroy the stones (the universe could possibly require correction again, after all the human population has doubled in the last 60 years; halving all life with a simple snap does not ensure that it will remain that way forever).

So all of these questions flying about in my head is making me reconsider Thanos's motivations for destroying the stones. Something tells me he could have easily kept hold of them without much quarrel, given the powers that they bestowed upon him.

Is there any in-or-out-of universe information that expands further on the motivation Thanos had for destroying the stones?

Answer 1

The temptation Thanos refers to is both by himself and others and that leads into his motivations. The temptation of others should be self-explanatory, he doesn't want anyone to reverse what he has done. He says as much in the same scene you refer to.

Thanos: The universe required correction. After that, the stones served no purpose beyond temptation.

Bruce Banner: You murdered trillions.

Thanos: You should be grateful.

Natasha: Where are the stones?

Thanos: Gone. Reduced to atoms.

Bruce Banner: You used them two days ago!

Thanos: I used the stones to destroy the stones. It nearly killed me. But the work is done. It always will be.

_{Avengers: Endgame}

Thanos also doesn't want to have the temptation of the Stones himself, likely for two reasons: he's retired and he doesn't want to draw attention to himself. Earth knows who caused the Snap yet it occurred all over the universe, not every planet will know and that puts a huge target on his head. He doesn't want to draw attention to himself and cause a fight when he's retired.

Thanos: I finally rest... and watch the sun rise on a grateful universe.

_{Avengers: Infinity War}

And with every fight that is drawn towards him, he opens up the possibility, if ever so slight, that someone will take the Infinity Gauntlet and the Stones off of him and reverse what he has done. It is safer in the long run for him to just get rid of the Stones and not have to worry about it again.