--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't know if it's ever OK for someone…" description: "\"I don't know if it's ever OK for someone to be selfish. Perhaps there's a time and place to be self-centered, but I think selfish never wins the race.\"..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/jessica-capshaw-16905_being-selfish_i-don-t-know-if-it-s-ever-ok-for-someone_1872422.png" --- # I don't know if it's ever OK for someone to be selfish… ![“I don't know if it's ever OK for someone to be selfish. Perhaps there's a time and place to be self-centered, but I think selfish never wins the race.” quote by Jessica Capshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/jessica-capshaw-16905_being-selfish_i-don-t-know-if-it-s-ever-ok-for-someone_1872422.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/jessica-capshaw-16905_being-selfish_i-don-t-know-if-it-s-ever-ok-for-someone_1872422.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/jessica-capshaw-16905_being-selfish_i-don-t-know-if-it-s-ever-ok-for-someone_1872422.png) > “I don't know if it's ever OK for someone to be selfish. Perhaps there's a time and place to be self-centered, but I think selfish never wins the race.” [Jessica Capshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-capshaw/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Selfishness is generally detrimental, though occasional self‑focus may be justified, but it rarely leads to success. **In simple terms:** Selfishness rarely wins; occasional self‑care may be okay. Key Takeaway Prioritize others while allowing limited self‑care. Themes ethics self‑interest success Mood reflective cautious Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - leadership - relationships - teamwork - personal growth Key Concepts moral philosophy social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - When is self‑interest ethical? - How does selfishness affect group outcomes? A Different Perspective Excessive self‑care can become selfishness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-selfish/) [Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self centered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-centered/) [Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) ## Related quotes > [The one thing I've learned about this sport is that it's OK to be selfish at times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-browne/the-one-thing-i-ve-learned-about-this-sport-is-that-it-s-ok-to-be/) [Travis Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-browne/) > [I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side, be an advocate for myself and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/i-learned-a-long-time-ago-the-wisest-thing-i-can-do-is-be-on-my-own-2/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [It's good to be selfish. But not so self-centered that you never listen to other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-hefner/it-s-good-to-be-selfish-but-not-so-self-centered-that-you-never/) [Hugh Hefner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-hefner/) > [Marriage provides an ideal setting for overcoming any tendency to be selfish or self-centered. I think one of the reasons that we are counseled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-g-scott/marriage-provides-an-ideal-setting-for-overcoming-any-tendency-to-be/) [Richard G. Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-g-scott/) > [The biggest weakness of a person is not being selfish, amorous, wild or egotistical, but stubbornly loving someone who doesn't love you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-biggest-weakness-of-a-person-is-not-being-selfish-amorous-wild-or/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Loving yourself has nothing to do with being selfish, self-centered or self-engrossed. It means that you accept yourself for what you are. Loving yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/loving-yourself-has-nothing-to-do-with-being-selfish-self-centered-or/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [Through recognizing and realizing the empty essence, instead of being selfish and self-centered, one feels very open and free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tsoknyi-rinpoche/through-recognizing-and-realizing-the-empty-essence-instead-of-being/) [Tsoknyi Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tsoknyi-rinpoche/) > [Liars; those people who hide behind the truth for no real reason but for their own selfish gain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tai-nicole/liars-those-people-who-hide-behind-the-truth-for-no-real-reason-but/) Tai Nicole > [The world is so competitive, aggressive, consumive, selfish and during the time we spend here we must be all but that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-mourinho/the-world-is-so-competitive-aggressive-consumive-selfish-and-during/) [Jose Mourinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-mourinho/) > [True love is not selfish. In time it accustoms itself to anything which secures happiness for its object.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-chauncey-woolsey/true-love-is-not-selfish-in-time-it-accustoms-itself-to-anything/) [Sarah Chauncey Woolsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-chauncey-woolsey/) > [I pass through many Me's in the course of my day, each one selfish with his time. The Lying-in-Bed me and the Enjoying-the-Hot-Shower Me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mitchell/i-pass-through-many-me-s-in-the-course-of-my-day-each-one-selfish/) [David Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mitchell/) > [It's a very selfish time. When I'm here at home, my responsibilities are far greater. I'm forced to be way more selfless. My priorities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-rossdale/it-s-a-very-selfish-time-when-i-m-here-at-home-my-responsibilities/) [Gavin Rossdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-rossdale/) > [To write an album takes so much focus and selfish time, to just write and think about your life. For me. Maybe not for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gwen-stefani/to-write-an-album-takes-so-much-focus-and-selfish-time-to-just-write/) [Gwen Stefani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gwen-stefani/) > [It takes a lot of selfish time to make music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gwen-stefani/it-takes-a-lot-of-selfish-time-to-make-music/) [Gwen Stefani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gwen-stefani/) > [“Your 20’s are your ‘selfish’ years. It’s a decade to immerse yourself in every single thing possible. Be selfish with your time, and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyoko-escamilla/your-20-s-are-your-selfish-years-it-s-a-decade-to-immerse-yourself-in/) Kyoko Escamilla ## More by Jessica Capshaw > [I'm a Midwesterner! Not being able to have a cheeseburger once in a while would be torture!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-capshaw/i-m-a-midwesterner-not-being-able-to-have-a-cheeseburger-once-in-a/) [Jessica Capshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-capshaw/) > [Maternal health remains a staggering challenge, particularly in the developing world. Globally, a woman dies from complications in childbirth every minute.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-capshaw/maternal-health-remains-a-staggering-challenge-particularly-in-the/) [Jessica Capshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-capshaw/) > [I'm very active when I'm not pregnant, but I think fitness should be a natural part of your life, not something you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-capshaw/i-m-very-active-when-i-m-not-pregnant-but-i-think-fitness-should-be-a/) [Jessica Capshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-capshaw/) > [Infidelity is horrible - there's nothing worse than that; it's devastating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-capshaw/infidelity-is-horrible-there-s-nothing-worse-than-that-it-s/) [Jessica Capshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-capshaw/) > [Being a mom has been my most important job to date, and I take my job very seriously, and I have a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-capshaw/being-a-mom-has-been-my-most-important-job-to-date-and-i-take-my-job/) [Jessica Capshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-capshaw/) > [I love to wear dresses when I'm pregnant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-capshaw/i-love-to-wear-dresses-when-i-m-pregnant/) [Jessica Capshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-capshaw/) > [My husband always smells good to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-capshaw/my-husband-always-smells-good-to-me/) [Jessica Capshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-capshaw/) > [I'll never give up my Dior mascara.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-capshaw/i-ll-never-give-up-my-dior-mascara/) [Jessica Capshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-capshaw/) > [I love the surprise element of being a mom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-capshaw/i-love-the-surprise-element-of-being-a-mom/) [Jessica Capshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-capshaw/) > [Listen, the obvious thing to remember is without dark, there is no light, and without light, there is no dark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-capshaw/listen-the-obvious-thing-to-remember-is-without-dark-there-is-no/) [Jessica Capshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-capshaw/) > [My musical taste is like a 16-year-old girl's when it comes to working out - Rihanna, Black Eyed Peas, Miley Cyrus. I love it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-capshaw/my-musical-taste-is-like-a-16-year-old-girl-s-when-it-comes-to/) [Jessica Capshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-capshaw/) > [The only thing I never have unless I'm pregnant is heartburn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-capshaw/the-only-thing-i-never-have-unless-i-m-pregnant-is-heartburn/) [Jessica Capshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-capshaw/) > [As cute as baby clothes are... I try to buy less.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-capshaw/as-cute-as-baby-clothes-are-i-try-to-buy-less/) [Jessica Capshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-capshaw/) > [I've braved the red carpet when I didn't feel comfortable, and when I look at the pictures, it always shows!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-capshaw/i-ve-braved-the-red-carpet-when-i-didn-t-feel-comfortable-and-when-i/) [Jessica Capshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-capshaw/) > [I was never a rail-thin person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-capshaw/i-was-never-a-rail-thin-person/) [Jessica Capshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-capshaw/) [Explore all 38 Jessica Capshaw quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-capshaw/) ## More Being selfish quotes > [To talk only about national security, national defense, means to be selfish, ambitious. It is discrimination, isolation. "It is just me. What do I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evo-morales/to-talk-only-about-national-security-national-defense-means-to-be/) [Evo Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evo-morales/) > [Spoiling yourself is what you call being selfish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/spoiling-yourself-is-what-you-call-being-selfish/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Been accustomed to being selfish...Trying to be a little less each day...Making progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/been-accustomed-to-being-selfish-trying-to-be-a-little-less-each-day/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When your kid is being selfish or greedy and you want to help them not be that way, you have to find a way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/when-your-kid-is-being-selfish-or-greedy-and-you-want-to-help-them/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [My wit is like your legs," said Xochi. " It would be selfish of me to keep it hidden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-wells/my-wit-is-like-your-legs-said-xochi-it-would-be-selfish-of-me-to-keep/) [Dan Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-wells/) > [I am awfully greedy; I want everything from life. I want to be a woman and to be a man, to have many friends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/i-am-awfully-greedy-i-want-everything-from-life-i-want-to-be-a-woman/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) > [Sorry for being selfish. I'll try to make it mine. And no matter what they say, I don't care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sorry-for-being-selfish-i-ll-try-to-make-it-mine-and-no-matter-what/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Few human creatures would consent to be changed into any of the lower animals for a promise of the fullest allowance of a beast's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/few-human-creatures-would-consent-to-be-changed-into-any-of-the-lower/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [Working hard for yourself & being selfish are different situations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/working-hard-for-yourself-being-selfish-are-different-situations/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Some things you just have to do for yourself not being selfish just productive...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/some-things-you-just-have-to-do-for-yourself-not-being-selfish-just/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Historically, education has been about batch processing: standardize everything against the average, rank kids, sort them to see who gets more and who really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-todd-rose/historically-education-has-been-about-batch-processing-standardize/) [L. Todd Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-todd-rose/) > [These days some Relationships are filled with nothing but selfishness, insecurities, hate, ignorance and cheaters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enhance-dreams/these-days-some-relationships-are-filled-with-nothing-but-selfishness/) Enhance Dreams > [Ideas that spread win. Ideas don't have to be selfish to win, in fact, it turns out that the more generous the interactions an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth/ideas-that-spread-win-ideas-don-t-have-to-be-selfish-to-win-in-fact/) [Seth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth/) > [I think I was righteous. I saw myself as the good guy in my own movie. I didn't get into many fights when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-nesbo/i-think-i-was-righteous-i-saw-myself-as-the-good-guy-in-my-own-movie/) [Jo Nesbo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-nesbo/) > [You speak of sacrifice, but it is not my sacrifice I offer. It is yours I ask of you," he went on. "I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/you-speak-of-sacrifice-but-it-is-not-my-sacrifice-i-offer-it-is-yours/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) [Browse all 138 Being selfish quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-selfish/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I don't know if it's ever OK for someone to be selfish. 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