--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: During the Enlightenment, there were…" description: "\"During the Enlightenment, there were brilliant thinkers who realized that, if you assume most people are naturally selfish and you construct the market..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f6/rutger-bregman-2463_buddhism_during-the-enlightenment-there-were-bril_1811211.jpg" --- # During the Enlightenment, there were brilliant thinkers… ![“During the Enlightenment, there were brilliant thinkers who realized that, if you assume most people are naturally selfish and you construct the market around that, sometimes it can actually work for the common good. I just think that in many cases, it went too far.” quote by Rutger Bregman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f6/rutger-bregman-2463_buddhism_during-the-enlightenment-there-were-bril_1811211.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f6/rutger-bregman-2463_buddhism_during-the-enlightenment-there-were-bril_1811211.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f6/rutger-bregman-2463_buddhism_during-the-enlightenment-there-were-bril_1811211.jpg) > “During the Enlightenment, there were brilliant thinkers who realized that, if you assume most people are naturally selfish and you construct the market around that, sometimes it can actually work for the common good. I just think that in many cases, it went too far.” [Rutger Bregman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rutger-bregman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Assuming selfishness as a market basis can yield benefits, but over‑reliance on that view can produce harmful excesses. **In simple terms:** Markets work on selfish motives but can overreach. Key Takeaway Balance self‑interest with safeguards. Themes economics ethics human nature Mood critical analytical Type political philosophical When to use this quote - policy design - corporate governance - public welfare Key Concepts self‑interest common good Questions to Reflect On - When does self‑interest harm the collective? - What safeguards are needed? A Different Perspective Self‑interest alone cannot ensure fairness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Buddhism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhism/) [Common good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common-good/) [Enlightenment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightenment/) [Far](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/far/) [Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [Investing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investing/) [Naturally Selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/naturally-selfish-1908562/) [Selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish/) [Selfish Construct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish-construct-2115860/) [Too far](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too-far/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [When you finally have kids, you realize how selfish you are. I think we are naturally selfish beings. 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