Marie Curie Quotes

In brief, egoism in its modern interpretation, is the antithesis, not of altruism, but of idealism.

Society cares for the individual only so far as he is profitable.

One who works for his own profit is likely to work hard. One who works for the use of others, without profit to himself, is likely not to work any harder than he must.

It's in no way my interest (according to the common acceptance of that word) to convince the world of their errors; that is, I shall get nothing from it but the private satisfaction of having done good to mankind, and I know nobody that reckons that satisfaction any part of their interest.

Capitalism encourages entrepreneurs to act with consideration for others even when their ultimate motive is to benefit themselves.

Ferris: Are you going to be as impractical as that? Rearden: The evaluation of an action as practical, Dr. Ferris, depends on what it is that one wishes to practice. Ferris: Haven't you always placed your self-interest above all else? Rearden: That is what I am doing right now.

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.

Selfishness is the bedrock on which all moral behavior starts and it can be immoral only when it conflicts with a higher moral imperative.

The theory that everyone acts from self-interest, direct or indirect, is psychologically unsound. . . . Throughout history . . . there have been millions of men and women with some sort of Humanist philosophy who have consciously given up their lives for a social ideal.

Every great man of business has got somewhere a touch of the idealist in him.

Make sure your intentions are not only for yourself, but also for the common good.

"I love mankind," he said, "but I find to my amazement that the more I love mankind as a whole, the less I love man in particular."

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

I never engaged in public affairs for my own interest, pleasure, envy, jealousy, avarice or ambition, or even the desire of fame

Anyone may fairly seek his own advantage, but no one has a right to do so at another's expense.

There's no place for impractical dreamers around here.

Principle of "Christian love": it insists upon being well paid in the end.

If all I cared about was me, I could make a million. And that's what they will never understand.

The true entreprenuer is a doer,not a dreamer.

Man serves the interests of no creature except himself.

Do not confuse your vested interests with ethics. Do not identify the enemies of your privilege with the enemies of humanity.

Why should I want what's good for me?' Beatrice asked him, smiling. 'Is that what you want for yourself - only what's good for you?

The endeavor to change universal power by selfish supplication I do not believe in.

The world is filled with the proverbs and acts and winkings of a base prudence, which is a devotion to matter, as if we possessedno other faculties than the palate, the nose, the touch, the eye and ear; a prudence which adores the Rule of Three, which never subscribes, which never gives, which seldom lends, and asks but one question of any project,--Will it bake bread?

Whenever I see people getting a bad deal I want to step in and do something about it. Of course, this is not pure altruism - there's a profit to be made too.