All men, taken singly, are more or less selfish; and taken…
““All men, taken singly, are more or less selfish; and taken in bodies, they are intensely so. The British merchant is no exception to this rule: the mercantile classes illustrate it strikingly. These classes certainly think too exclusively of making money; they are too oblivious of every national consideration but that of extending England’s — that is, their own — commerce.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People act selfishly as individuals, and even more so when acting as a group, especially in commerce where profit dominates over national interest.
In simple terms: Selfishness grows in groups, especially merchants.
Key Takeaway
Beware collective greed.
Themes
selfishness
economics
nationalism
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
ethical
When to use this quote
- business decisions
- policy making
- international trade
- corporate strategy
Key Concepts
capitalism
group dynamics
ethical egoism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does group identity amplify self‑interest?
- Can profit motives align with national good?
A Different Perspective
Collective selfishness can be mitigated by strong ethical frameworks.