Bases Quote by Thomas Jefferson

Morality, after all, has nothing to do with selflessness. On the contrary, self-interest is precisely the basis of the categorical imperative.

— Frans de Waal

Self-interest is the most ingenious and persuasive of all the agents that deceive our consciences, while by means of it our unhappy and stubborn…

— William C. Bryant

“Rational self-interest is always what morality boils down to.”

— Rebecca Goldstein

I would define morality as enlightened self-interest...That old Platonic ideal that there are certain pure moral forms just isn't where we are.

— Andrew Young

I shall not fear to say that the doctrine of self-interest rightly understood seems to me of all the philosophic theories the most appropriate…

— Alexis de Tocqueville

self-interest usually brings injustice with it.

— Catherine the Great

Human benevolence is mingled with vanity, interest, or some other motive

— Samuel Johnson

We cannot doubt that self-interest is the mainspring of human nature. It must be clearly understood that this word is used here to designate…

— Frederic Bastiat

Rational egoism is the only morality that is for human life; thus, it is the only morality that is actually moral. Those who choose…

— Craig Biddle

There are two principles of established acceptance in morals; first, that self-interest is the mainspring of all of our actions, and secondly, that utility…

— Charles Caleb Colton

I actually think that self-interest is overrated as an all-purpose guide to political motive. It leaves out something at least as powerful and immovable…

— George Packer

Self-interest is but the survival of the animal in us. Humanity only begins for man with self-surrender.

— Henri Frederic Amiel