quotations about selfishness
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
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
Will not a tiny speck very close to our vision blot out the glory of the world, and leave only a margin by which we see the blot? I know no speck so troublesome as self.
GEORGE ELIOT
Middlemarch
Oh, there's nothing that stands out more than the selfishness in man.
GEORGE JONES
"Selfishness in Man"
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
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
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
The truest evil in the world is cold, creeping egotism, heartless selfishness.
JANE ROBINSON
attributed, Day's Collacon
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
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
People should give without wanting anything in return. All other giving is selfish.
ALAN LIGHTMAN
Reunion
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