selfishness

[sel-fish-nis]

noun

1. the quality or state of caring only for oneself or one’s own interests.

   The author rants at length about the selfishness and general disregard for others that he sees at the root of modern society.

Word History and Origins

Origin of selfishness¹

selfish ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

To think we can simply sashay into Heaven as we are without some serious heart surgery is to have a shallow view of both God’s holiness and our sinfulness and selfishness.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

As the days pass, Grace’s maternal instincts and her human selfishness war.

Read more on Salon

“I lost my way. I got lost in my journey. Lost in the drugs and the excess. My downfall was rooted in my selfishness. I have been humbled and broken to my core.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"My downfall was rooted in my selfishness. I have been humbled and broken to my core."

Read more on BBC

Abraham Lincoln, in a reply to Sen. Stephen Douglas dated October 16, 1854, said that slavery was founded in the selfishness of man’s nature and opposition to it was founded in his love of justice.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• greed 
• self-indulgence www.thesaurus.com