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Meowth has such a tragic backstory of abandonment, heartbreak, rejection and belonging. Abandoned as a kitten, learned to walk on two legs to impress Meowzie only to be outcast for it, learned to talk but realized learning to talk and walk instead of training has made him weak and unskilled in battles, rejected by both other Meowths and humans for being a "freak" that is too different from either group, finally finding acceptance and a place with Jesse and James.

I think you're right that his job and his co-workers are what keep him going without any need for extra manipulation, although his massive jealousy of Giovanni's Persian fueled by his insecurity of never being able to be seen as such a prized Pokemon are a part of that drive.