--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Selfish interest is one of the most…" description: "\"Selfish interest is one of the most common obstructions to the advance of truth.\" — William Jennings Bryan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/677/william-jennings-bryan-4474_common_selfish-interest-is-one-of-the-most-comm_3191043.png" --- # Selfish interest is one of the most common obstructions to… ![“Selfish interest is one of the most common obstructions to the advance of truth.” quote by William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/677/william-jennings-bryan-4474_common_selfish-interest-is-one-of-the-most-comm_3191043.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/677/william-jennings-bryan-4474_common_selfish-interest-is-one-of-the-most-comm_3191043.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/677/william-jennings-bryan-4474_common_selfish-interest-is-one-of-the-most-comm_3191043.png) > “Selfish interest is one of the most common obstructions to the advance of truth.” [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Selfish motives hinder the pursuit of objective truth by prioritizing personal gain over collective knowledge. **In simple terms:** Selfishness blocks truth progress Key Takeaway Prioritize collective truth over personal gain Themes integrity truth selfishness Mood critical reflective Type philosophical political When to use this quote - academic research - journalism - public policy - community dialogue Key Concepts philosophy political theory Questions to Reflect On - How does personal gain affect truth seeking? - Can selfish motives ever benefit truth? A Different Perspective Self-interest can sometimes drive innovation and competition ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Selfish interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish-interest/) [Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [Friendship may sometimes step a few paces in advance of truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-savage-landor/friendship-may-sometimes-step-a-few-paces-in-advance-of-truth/) [Walter Savage Landor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-savage-landor/) > [We know that there are chiselers. At the bottom of every case of criticism and obstruction we have found some selfish interest, some private…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/we-know-that-there-are-chiselers-at-the-bottom-of-every-case-of/) [Franklin D. 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