'One fine day, a purely predatory world shall consume itself: In an individual, selfishness uglifies the soul; for the human species, selfishness is extinction.' ? (p.528)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Selfishness corrupts individuals and threatens the survival of the human species if left unchecked.
- In plain terms
- Being selfish hurts your soul and could end humanity if everyone does it.
- What can you take from it?
- Selfishness harms both the individual and the species.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How does selfishness affect others?
- What ensures our survival?
Another view
Individual self interest can sometimes drive innovation and progress.
More from David Mitchell
'History has no rules, only outcomes. What precipitates outcomes? Vicious acts and virtuous acts. What precipitates acts? Belief.' ?( p.528)
Permalink to quote #14 'If we believe that humanity can transcend tooth and claw, if we believe that divers races & creeds can share this world as peaceably as the orphans share thei…
Permalink to quote #16 'Science devises ever bloodier means of war until humanity's powers of destruction overcome our powers of creation, and our civilisation drives itself to extin…
Permalink to quote #13
Related quotes
The blame for Armageddon lies on man. And the millennium will come only when the average man exhibits a scientific integrity about all he is and does--instead …
Philip WyliePhilip Wylie quote #8 'From now on I'm thinking only of me.' Major Danby replied indulgently with a superior smile: 'But, Yossarian, suppose everyone felt that way?' 'Then,' said Yo…
Joseph HellerJoseph Heller quote #9 Suppose atomic bombs had reduced the population of the world to one brother and one sister, should they let the human race die out? I do not know the answer, b…
Bertrand RussellBertrand Russell quote #47