Prince Philip Quotes

For conservation to be successful it is necessary to take into consideration that it is a characteristic of man that he can only be relied upon to do anything consistently which is in his own interest. He may have occasional fits of conscience and moral rectitude but otherwise his actions are governed by self-interest. It follows then that whatever the moral reasons for conservation it will only be achieved by the inducement of profit or pleasure.

That human beings seek their own well-being and that of those close to them is not an especially provocative discovery. What is important is that this universal aspect of human nature persists no matter what economic system is in place; it merely expresses itself in different forms.

Man is essentially a selfish creature. The differences in the degree with which this developed are infinite.

Men will always be powerfully influenced in their Opinions and Actions by what appears to be their particular Interest.

Nature governs man by no principle more fixed than that which leads him to pursue his interest.

All our acts, reasoned and unreasoned, are selfish

It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from regard to their own interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our own necessities but of their advantages. Nobody but a beggar chooses to depend chiefly upon the benevolence of his fellow citizens.

Ordinarily, everything we do is in our self-interest. Everything.

Greed is a basic part of animal nature. Being against it is like being against breathing or eating. It means nothing.

I think most people act in their self-interest.

The sum of the whole is plainly this: The nature of man considered in his single capacity, and with respect only to the present world, is adapted and leads him to attain the greatest happiness he can for himself in the present world.

Of course, we are all egoists. Egoism is so much a part of our humanity.

I am convinced that the majority of people would be generous from selfish motives, if they had the opportunity.

The instinct of ownership is fundamental in man’s nature.

Man has always sacrificed truth to his vanity, comfort and advantage.

That spirit of freedom, which at the commencement of this contest would have gladly sacrificed everything to the attainment of its object, has long since subsided, and every selfish passion has taken its place. It is not the public, but private interest, which influences the generality of mankind, nor can the Americans any longer boast an exception. Under these circumstances it would rather have been surprising if you had succeeded.

We must take man as we find him, and if we expect him to serve the public we must interest his passions in doing so.

Why do men go to war? Is it not in some way to better their condition. All these new fangled notions that men fight for other things than their own personal advantage is pure delusion. It is the solid things of life that men are ever after, though some of them haven't the courage to admit it. What is love of country but love of it's good things?

Politically, economically and philosophically the motive of self-interest not only is but must...and ought to be the mainspring of human conduct...

Self interest is a masterful agent in modern civilization.

World events are the work of individuals whose motives are often frivolous, even casual.

Never trust anyone without a vested interest.

Nature... is nothing but the inner voice of self-interest.

Experts are human, and humans respond to incentives. How any given expert treats you, therefore, will depend on how that expert's incentives are set up.

The common class of mankind are actuated by no nobler principle than that of self-interest; this and this alone determines all adventurers in privateers: the owners, as well as those whom they employ.