A man is called selfish not for pursuing his own good, but for neglecting his neighbor’s.
—Richard Whately (1787–1863) English Philosopher, Theologian
How much that the world calls selfishness is only generosity with narrow walls — a too exclusive solicitude to maintain a wife in luxury, or make one’s children rich.
—Thomas Wentworth Higginson (1823–1911) American Social Reformer, Clergyman
All sympathy not consistent with acknowledged virtue is but disguised selfishness.
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) English Poet, Literary Critic, Philosopher
The human being who lives only for himself finally reaps nothing but unhappiness. Selfishness corrodes. Unselfishness ennobles, satisfies. Don’t put off the joy derivable from doing helpful, kindly things for others.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
One thing is clear to me, that no indulgence of passion destroys the spiritual nature so much as respectable selfishness.
—George MacDonald (1824–1905) Scottish Novelist, Lecturer, Poet
Selfishness, if but reasonably tempered with wisdom, is not such an evil trait.
—Giovanni Ruffini (1807–81) Italian Writer, Patriot
Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) English Baptist Preacher
None are so empty as those who are full of themselves.
—Benjamin Whichcote (1609–83) British Anglican Priest, Theologian, Philosopher
If your prayer is selfish, the answer will be something that will rebuke your selfishness. You may not recognize it as having come at all, but it is sure to be there.
—William Temple (1881–1944) British Clergyman, Theologian
The essence of true nobility is neglect of self. Let the thought of self pass in, and the beauty of a great action is gone like the bloom from a soiled flower.
—James Anthony Froude (1818–94) British Historian, Novelist, Biographer, Editor
The fondness we have for self furnishes another long rank of prejudices.
—Isaac Watts (1674–1748) English Hymn writer
I would tear out my own heart if it had no better disposition than to love only myself, and laugh at all my neighbors.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
To be saved is only this,–salvation from our own selfishness.
—John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–92) American Quaker Poet, Abolitionist
It is very natural for a young friend and a young lover to think the persons they love have nothing to do but to please them.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
Where all are selfish, the sage is no better than the fool, and only rather more dangerous.
—James Anthony Froude (1818–94) British Historian, Novelist, Biographer, Editor
Selfishness is one of the qualities apt to inspire love.
—Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804–64) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
I have given up reading books; I find it takes my mind off myself.
—Oscar Levant (1906–72) American Musician, Composer, Author, Comedian, Actor
I seldom made an errand to God for another but I got something for myself.
—Samuel Rutherford (1600–61) Scottish Presbyterian Theologian, Author
No man will work for your interests unless they are his.
—David Seabury (1885–1960) American Psychologist
Did any man, at his death, ever regret his conflicts with himself, his victories over appetite, his scorn of impure pleasure, or his sufferings for righteousness’ sake?
—William Ellery Channing (1780–1842) American Unitarian Theologian, Poet
Self-interest is but the survival of the animal in us. Humanity only begins for man with self-surrender.
—Henri Frederic Amiel (1821–81) Swiss Moral Philosopher, Poet, Critic
I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle.
—Jane Austen (1775–1817) English Novelist
Selfishness, when it is punished by the world, is mostly punished because it is connected with egotism.
—Arthur Helps (1813–75) English Dramatist, Essayist
Selfishness is never so exquisitely selfish as when it is on its knees … Self turns what would otherwise be a pure and powerful prayer into a weak and ineffective one.
—A. W. Tozer (1897–1963) American Christian Pastor, Preacher, Author, Editor
As selfishness and complaint pervert and cloud the mind, so love with its joy clears and sharpens the vision.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
If you wish to be miserable, think about yourself; about what you want, what you like, what respect people ought to pay you, what people think of you; and then to you nothing will be pure. You will spoil everything you touch; you will make sin and misery for yourself out of everything God sends you; you will be as wretched as you choose.
—Charles Kingsley (1819–75) English Clergyman, Academic, Historian, Novelist
The man who lives by himself and for himself is likely to be corrupted by the company he keeps.
—Charles Henry Parkhurst (1842–1933) American Clergyman, Civic Reformer
Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
It is not truth, justice, liberty, that men seek; they seek only themselves. — And oh, that they knew how to seek themselves aright!
—Friedrich Heinrich Jacobi (1743–1819) German Philosopher
Selfishness is the only real atheism; unselfishness the only real religion.
—Israel Zangwill (1864–1926) English Playwright, Novelist, Zionist Activist