Quotes About Self-interest

has left remaining no other nexus between man and man than naked self-interest

Most men have always wanted as much as they could get; and possession has always blunted the fine edge of their altruism.

Man exists for his own sake and not to add a laborer to the State.

I am not morally obligated to care more for a man than he cares for himself.

I have yet to find a man worth his salt in any direction who did not think of himself first and foremost.

A man will fight harder for his interests than for his rights. Men are moved by only two mechanisms: fear and self-interest. Victory belongs to the most persevering.

However toplofty and idealistic a man may be, he can always rationalize his right to earn money.

Man cannot demand that others give up their lives to make him happy.

The moral cannibalism of all hedonist and altruist doctrines lies in the premise that the happiness of one man necessitates the injury of another.

Man acts from adequate motives relative to his interest, and not on metaphysical speculations.

When . . . in the course of all these thousands of years has man ever acted in accordance with his own interests?

What impels every man to the utmost exertion in the service of his fellow man. Is, in the market not compulsion on the part of gendarmes, hangmen and penal courts, it is self interest.

No man that has ever lived has done a thing to please God--primarily. It was done to please himself, then God next.

Little does the sick man consult his own interests, who makes his physician his heir.

Man seeks his own good at the whole world's cost.

Men have a singular desire to be good without being good for anything, because, perchance, they think vaguely that so it will be good for them in the end.

Praie and shifte eche one for him selfe, as he can.Euery man for him selfe, and god for us all.

More people are bribed by their own money than anybody else's.

Vote for me. I'll use my office to take another American's money and give it to you.

I don't return anybody's calls unless it's going to mean extra money for me. And I've completely cut off all relationships with any friends that I had before the show. And I've copped an attitude.

People are not interested in you. They are not interested in me. They are interested in themselves - morning, noon and after dinner.

The nature of any human being, certainly anyone on Wall Street, is 'the better deal you give the customer, the worse deal it is for you'.

Never appeal to a man's 'better nature.' He may not have one. Invoking his self-interest gives you more leverage.

Wealth has never yet sacrificed itself on the altar of patriotism.