Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Selfishness is imposing one's own preferences on others rather than simply living one's own life.
In plain terms
Selfishness forces others to follow your wishes.
What can you take from it?
Respect others' autonomy.

Where it applies

  • workplace
  • family dynamics

Putting it to work

  • setting personal boundaries
  • encouraging empathy

Questions to consider

  • Where is the line between self‑care and selfishness?
  • How do cultural norms shape this view?

Another view

Sometimes advocating for others' well‑being can be seen as selfish by the self‑interested.

More from Oscar Wilde

  1. High hopes were once formed of democracy; but democracy means simply the bludgeoning of the people by the people for the people.

    Permalink to quote #196
  2. The fact is, that civilisation requires slaves. The Greeks were quite right there. Unless there are slaves to do the ugly, horrible, uninteresting work, cultur…

    Permalink to quote #198
  3. A map of the world that does not include Utopia is not worth even glancing at, for it leaves out the one country at which Humanity is always landing.

    Permalink to quote #195

Related quotes

  1. La politesse cache tres-imparfaitement l'egoisme general.

    Honore de BalzacHonore de Balzac quote #87
  2. Do not judge your fellow man until you have come into his situation.

    Hillel the YoungerHillel the Younger quote #1
  3. Egoisten sind wir alle, der eine mehr, der andere weniger. Der eine lasst seinen Egoismus nackend laufen, der andere hangt ihm ein Mantelchen um.

    August von KotzebueAugust von Kotzebue quote #4