It may be laid down as a general rule to which there are…
““It may be laid down as a general rule to which there are few exceptions that, when people are mistaken as to what is to their own interest, the course that they believe to be wise is more harmful to others than the course that really is wise. Therefore anything that makes people better judges of their own interest does good.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People often mistake self‑interest for wisdom, leading to harmful choices; better self‑knowledge improves decisions for all
In simple terms: Misreading self‑interest harms others; true insight helps everyone
Key Takeaway
Encourage critical self‑reflection and education
Themes
wisdom
self‑interest
ethical decision‑making
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal finance
- public policy
- healthcare decisions
- environmental choices
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies foster accurate self‑interest?
- What tools help individuals assess true interests?
A Different Perspective
Self‑interest can be rationalized, making change difficult