--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Humans are selfish creatures who can…" description: "\"“Humans are selfish creatures who can always be counted on to do the wrong thing.”\" — Jennifer Donnelly" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/090/jennifer-donnelly-1585_humans_humans-are-selfish-creatures-who-can-alw_114642.jpg" --- # Humans are selfish creatures who can always be counted on… ![“Humans are selfish creatures who can always be counted on to do the wrong thing.” quote by Jennifer Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/090/jennifer-donnelly-1585_humans_humans-are-selfish-creatures-who-can-alw_114642.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/090/jennifer-donnelly-1585_humans_humans-are-selfish-creatures-who-can-alw_114642.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/090/jennifer-donnelly-1585_humans_humans-are-selfish-creatures-who-can-alw_114642.jpg) > ““Humans are selfish creatures who can always be counted on to do the wrong thing.”” [Jennifer Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-donnelly/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A cynical view that humans habitually act selfishly and make harmful choices, implying a pessimistic view of moral behavior. **In simple terms:** People often act selfishly and wrongly. Key Takeaway Human nature is prone to selfishness. Themes human nature cynicism ethics behavior Mood skeptical cynical Type cautionary philosophical When to use this quote - debating ethical dilemmas - analyzing corporate scandals - discussing environmental neglect Key Concepts moral psychology self‑interest Practical Applications - Promote empathy training - Design incentives for cooperative behavior Questions to Reflect On - What conditions foster selfless actions? - Can selfishness be redirected positively? A Different Perspective Humans also display altruism and capacity for moral growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness/) [Wrong thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrong-thing/) ## Related quotes > [But the bottom line is that, as humans, we are by nature selfish creatures. 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Humans are selfish and care only for themselves and their families. Am I any different?… Not only did I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hyeonseo-lee/i-ll-do-whatever-it-takes-humans-are-selfish-and-care-only-for/) [Hyeonseo Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hyeonseo-lee/) > [The only thing you should be trying to please in this world is god, because: Humans are dishonest Humans are evil Humans are greedy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-sebastiao/the-only-thing-you-should-be-trying-to-please-in-this-world-is-god/) [Emanuel Sebastiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-sebastiao/) > [“I now know that deep within the human concept is something dark, selfish, and completely willing to do whatever is necessary to support the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-west/i-now-know-that-deep-within-the-human-concept-is-something-dark/) [Melissa West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-west/) > [Selfish hedonism is not a pejorative. It is a description - an exactly accurate description of what is involved in homosexual relations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/selfish-hedonism-is-not-a-pejorative-it-is-a-description-an-exactly/) [Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) > [“Selfish act is very tempting but it leaves a permanent dent on your character.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saru-singhal/selfish-act-is-very-tempting-but-it-leaves-a-permanent-dent-on-your/) [Saru Singhal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saru-singhal/) > [And is it selfish of me to crave victory, or is it brave?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/and-is-it-selfish-of-me-to-crave-victory-or-is-it-brave/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [I will no longer surround myself around selfish people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-will-no-longer-surround-myself-around-selfish-people/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm not a selfish guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romelu-lukaku/i-m-not-a-selfish-guy/) [Romelu Lukaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romelu-lukaku/) > [Selfish people make me sick to my stomach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/selfish-people-make-me-sick-to-my-stomach/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THE UNFORGIVEN Tell me if you've ever had to deal with these kinds of people: The kind who take and don't give. The kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/the-unforgiven-tell-me-if-you-ve-ever-had-to-deal-with-these-kinds-of/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [“ever day Maureen is Selfish To her friend and Family One she get mad at her friend and family and She need to Grad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-andeson/ever-day-maureen-is-selfish-to-her-friend-and-family-one-she-get-mad/) Maureen Andeson ## More by Jennifer Donnelly > [“Yves G. Bonnard, archivero jefe, alias el Poderoso Oz, alias el Gran Inquisidor, alias el Anticristo.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-donnelly/yves-g-bonnard-archivero-jefe-alias-el-poderoso-oz-alias-el-gran/) [Jennifer Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-donnelly/) > [“She wanted to scream her grief to the skies and wail like an animal, but she couldn't.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-donnelly/she-wanted-to-scream-her-grief-to-the-skies-and-wail-like-an-animal/) [Jennifer Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-donnelly/) > [“ As sure as the seabirds in flight, As sure as the endless deep blue, My love is as certain as sunrise. I vow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-donnelly/as-sure-as-the-seabirds-in-flight-as-sure-as-the-endless-deep-blue-my/) [Jennifer Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-donnelly/) > [Cripes Miss Wilcox, they're not guns,' I said. No, they're not Mattie, they're books. And a hundred times more dangerous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-donnelly/cripes-miss-wilcox-they-re-not-guns-i-said-no-they-re-not-mattie-they/) [Jennifer Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-donnelly/) > [He loves the sparkling fountains and their cascades and says the strangest things as he watches them. they look like stars breaking. Or, They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-donnelly/he-loves-the-sparkling-fountains-and-their-cascades-and-says-the/) [Jennifer Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-donnelly/) > [Men are the weak ones, luv. Didn't you know? Oh, you make a lot of noise, but its the women who are strong. Where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-donnelly/men-are-the-weak-ones-luv-didn-t-you-know-oh-you-make-a-lot-of-noise/) [Jennifer Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-donnelly/) > [“It's kind of beautiful, this scary world. I still want to go out of it as soon as possible, but when I look around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-donnelly/it-s-kind-of-beautiful-this-scary-world-i-still-want-to-go-out-of-it/) [Jennifer Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-donnelly/) > [“Cry your grief to God. Howl to the heavens. Tear your shirt. Your hair. Your flesh. Gouge your eyes. Carve out your heart. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-donnelly/cry-your-grief-to-god-howl-to-the-heavens-tear-your-shirt-your-hair/) [Jennifer Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-donnelly/) > [Every heart is made of stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-donnelly/every-heart-is-made-of-stories/) [Jennifer Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-donnelly/) > [DNA tells you all the secrets of life,’ he used to say. Except for one—how to live it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-donnelly/dna-tells-you-all-the-secrets-of-life-he-used-to-say-except-for-one/) [Jennifer Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-donnelly/) > [Because beautiful things never last. Not roses nor snow… And not fireworks, either](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-donnelly/because-beautiful-things-never-last-not-roses-nor-snow-and-not/) [Jennifer Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-donnelly/) > [There is only one thing I fear now-love. For I have seen it and I have felt it and I know that it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-donnelly/there-is-only-one-thing-i-fear-now-love-for-i-have-seen-it-and-i-have/) [Jennifer Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-donnelly/) > [“I'm not snapping," I snapped.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-donnelly/i-m-not-snapping-i-snapped/) [Jennifer Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-donnelly/) > [“And then I remember this morning and I wonder if it really happened or if I dreamed it. It was nice. And weird. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-donnelly/and-then-i-remember-this-morning-and-i-wonder-if-it-really-happened/) [Jennifer Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-donnelly/) > [Who needs make-believe monsters when there are so many real ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-donnelly/who-needs-make-believe-monsters-when-there-are-so-many-real-ones/) [Jennifer Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-donnelly/) [Explore all 218 Jennifer Donnelly quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-donnelly/) ## More Humans quotes > [Entertainment is a sacred pursuit when done well. When done well, it raises the quality of human life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/entertainment-is-a-sacred-pursuit-when-done-well-when-done-well-it/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [It is said that history turns on small hinges. A human career, too, results from an accumulating series of decisions about large and small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/it-is-said-that-history-turns-on-small-hinges-a-human-career-too/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [There is no human nature, since there is no god to conceive it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul-sartre/there-is-no-human-nature-since-there-is-no-god-to-conceive-it/) [Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul-sartre/) > [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Houses are like the human beings that inhabit them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/houses-are-like-the-human-beings-that-inhabit-them/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [Humans are animals too, but some do not like to work from expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/humans-are-animals-too-but-some-do-not-like-to-work-from-expectations/) Mak\_786 > [Humans are, as Sartre put it, 'condemned to be free'. To insist that science, or God, objectively defines moral values is to abandon our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenan-malik/humans-are-as-sartre-put-it-condemned-to-be-free-to-insist-that/) Kenan Malik > [Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined, and connected to one another. And when that drive is liberated, people achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/human-beings-have-an-innate-inner-drive-to-be-autonomous-self/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [Half the misery of human life might be extinguished if men would alleviate the general curse they lie under by mutual offices of compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/half-the-misery-of-human-life-might-be-extinguished-if-men-would/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [When grubbing for necessities man is still an animal. He becomes uniquely human when he reaches out for the superfluous and extravagant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/when-grubbing-for-necessities-man-is-still-an-animal-he-becomes/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [I think the next 50 years are going to present the human race with challenges that so far exceed the limitations of geopolitical boundaries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-quinto/i-think-the-next-50-years-are-going-to-present-the-human-race-with/) [Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-quinto/) > [A Light exists in Spring Not present on the Year At any other period - When March is scarcely here A Color stands abroad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/a-light-exists-in-spring-not-present-on-the-year-at-any-other-period/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) [Browse all 32,126 Humans quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Humans are selfish creatures who can always be counted on to do the wrong thing.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jennifer Donnelly" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-donnelly/humans-are-selfish-creatures-who-can-always-be-counted-on-to-do-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Humans" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-donnelly/humans-are-selfish-creatures-who-can-always-be-counted-on-to-do-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/090/jennifer-donnelly-1585_humans_humans-are-selfish-creatures-who-can-alw_114642.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/090/jennifer-donnelly-1585_humans_humans-are-selfish-creatures-who-can-alw_114642.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/090/jennifer-donnelly-1585_humans_humans-are-selfish-creatures-who-can-alw_114642.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Humans are selfish creatures who can always be counted on to do the wrong thing.” — Jennifer Donnelly", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jennifer Donnelly", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-donnelly/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Humans are selfish creatures who can...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-donnelly/humans-are-selfish-creatures-who-can-always-be-counted-on-to-do-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-donnelly/humans-are-selfish-creatures-who-can-always-be-counted-on-to-do-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```