Addresses Quote by Claude C. Hopkins
“Remember the people you address are selfish, as we all are. They care nothing about your interests or profit. They seek service for themselves”
About This Quote
Source Book: Scientific Advertising by Claude C. Hopkins, 1923
People act out of self‑interest; persuasive communication must align with their personal motivations.
In simple terms: People are selfish.
Key Takeaway
Tailor messages to serve the audience’s own goals.
Themes
persuasion
self‑interest
marketing
communication
Mood
pragmatic
analytical
Type
business
educational
When to use this quote
- advertising campaigns
- sales pitches
- public speaking
- policy advocacy
Key Concepts
behavioral economics
psychology
value proposition
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you appeal to both self‑interest and goodwill?
- What values drive your audience?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on selfishness can ignore altruistic motives.
![“Reflect that in reality you have a greater need to serve [the poor] than they have of your service.” quote by Angela Merici](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/281/angela-merici-48126_greater_reflect-that-in-reality-you-have-a-great_563091.jpg)
![“[T]he appropriate form of address between man and man ought to be, not monsieur, sir, but fellow sufferer, compagnon de miseres.” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/be6/arthur-schopenhauer-226_addresses_t-he-appropriate-form-of-address-between_32897.jpg)
