SELFISHNESS QUOTES IV

quotations about selfishness

Selfishness is viral. If you get screwed, that makes you more likely to want to screw the next guy down the line.

JONN ELLEDGE

"Why does the right find politics easier than the left? Because selfishness is viral", New Statesman, May 31, 2017


Individualism, in its good aspects, can foster a spirit of initiative, creativity, and going beyond norms and old-fashioned and restrictive dogmas, but it can also very quickly degenerate into irresponsible selfishness and rampant narcissism, to the detriment of the well-being of all. Selfishness is at the heart of most of the problems we face today: the growing gap between rich and poor, the attitude of "everybody for himself," which is only increasing, and indifference about the generations to come.

MATTHIEU RICARD

"Climate Challenges and the Audacity of Altruism", Huffington Post, May 4, 2017


Oh, there's nothing that stands out more than the selfishness in man.

GEORGE JONES

"Selfishness in Man"


Love took up the harp of Life, and smote on all the chords with might;
Smote the chord of Self, that, trembling, pass'd in music out of sight.

ALFRED TENNYSON

Locksley Hall

Tags: Alfred Tennyson


Selfishness ... is the chief spring of injustice; for from hence it is, that oftentimes men regard not what courses they take, what means they use (how unjust, how base soever they be) toward the compassing their designs; hence they trample upon right, they violate all laws and rules of conscience, they falsify their trusts, they betray their friends, they supplant their neighbor, they ... detract from the virtue and worth of any man, they forge and vent odious slanders, they commit any sort of wrong and outrage, they (without regard or remorse) do anything which seemeth to further their design.

ISAAC BARROW

"Of Self-interest", The Works of Isaac Barrow


Selfishness is not exclusive to the business world. There are selfish teachers, physicians, pastors and firefighters. Selfishness is an equal opportunity employer.

ART LINDSLEY

"C. S. Lewis on selfishness vs. self-interest", Washington Times, October 6, 2016


The truest evil in the world is cold, creeping egotism, heartless selfishness.

JANE ROBINSON

attributed, Day's Collacon


True selfishness, if obedient to the other constraints of mammalian biology, is the key to a more nearly perfect social contract.

EDWARD O. WILSON

On Human Nature


It is a poor centre of a man's actions, himself. It is right earth. For that only stands fast upon his own centre; whereas all things, that have affinity with the heavens, move upon the centre of another, which they benefit.

FRANCIS BACON

"Of Wisdom For A Man's Self", The Essays or Counsels, Civil and Moral

Tags: Francis Bacon


Selfishness is a bad habit. That's why I always rationally think through my decisions to act without regard for others.

BAUVARD

Some Inspiration for the Overenthusiastic


Where all are selfish, the sage is no better than the fool, and only rather more dangerous.

JAMES ANTHONY FROUDE

Short Studies on Great Subjects

Tags: James Anthony Froude


People should give without wanting anything in return. All other giving is selfish.

ALAN LIGHTMAN

Reunion

Tags: Alan Lightman