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About this quote

What does it mean?
Even selfish pursuits involve self-sacrifice. Chasing wealth, health, or glory often means neglecting other parts of life.
In plain terms
Even selfish people sacrifice a lot. Chasing success means ignoring other things.
What can you take from it?
Selfish goals still require sacrifice and discipline.

Where it applies

  • career goals
  • fitness
  • addiction recovery

Putting it to work

  • check your motives
  • balance priorities
  • recognize cost

Questions to consider

  • What am I sacrificing for my goals?
  • Is my drive selfish or selfless?

Another view

Some selfishness is necessary for self-preservation and boundaries.

More from Eric Hoffer

  1. It has often been said that power corrupts. But it is perhaps equally important to realize that weakness, too, corrupts. Power corrupts the few, while weakness…

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  2. If in order to keep the wheels turning you have to deafen ears with propaganda, crack the whip of Terror, and keep pushing people around, then you haven't got …

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  3. It is when power is wedded to chronic fear that it becomes formidable.

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