--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But the bottom line is that, as humans…" description: "\"But the bottom line is that, as humans, we are by nature selfish creatures. The only way we care about anything, really, is by making it about us.\" — S..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06a/sarah-dessen-110_bottom_but-the-bottom-line-is-that-as-humans-we_131266.png" --- # But the bottom line is that, as humans, we are by nature… ![“But the bottom line is that, as humans, we are by nature selfish creatures. The only way we care about anything, really, is by making it about us.” quote by Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06a/sarah-dessen-110_bottom_but-the-bottom-line-is-that-as-humans-we_131266.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06a/sarah-dessen-110_bottom_but-the-bottom-line-is-that-as-humans-we_131266.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06a/sarah-dessen-110_bottom_but-the-bottom-line-is-that-as-humans-we_131266.png) > “But the bottom line is that, as humans, we are by nature selfish creatures. The only way we care about anything, really, is by making it about us.” [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human selfishness often masks as caring, making personal benefit the core motive. **In simple terms:** We care mainly when it benefits us. Key Takeaway Recognize self‑interest to foster genuine empathy. Themes selfishness empathy motivation human nature psychology Mood candid critical Type philosophical psychological When to use this quote - self‑reflection - therapy - volunteering - mindful listening Key Concepts egoism altruism self‑awareness relationship dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What drives your caring actions? - How can you shift from self‑centered to other‑centered? A Different Perspective Self‑interest can be hard to admit. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bottom line](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bottom-line/) [Care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness/) ## Related quotes > [“Humans are selfish creatures who can always be counted on to do the wrong thing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-donnelly/humans-are-selfish-creatures-who-can-always-be-counted-on-to-do-the/) [Jennifer Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-donnelly/) > [Love is the key to the mystery. Love by its very nature is not selfish, but generous. It seeks not its own, but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/love-is-the-key-to-the-mystery-love-by-its-very-nature-is-not-selfish/) [Fulton J. 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