Sidney Andrews Quotes

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.

Greed has been severely underestimated and denigrated—unfairly so in my opinion. … there's nothing wrong with avarice as a motive as long as it doesn't lead to dishonest … conduct.

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

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

But I felt that most of us in the world today gave priority to our personal interests.

It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest.

The egoist is fooled by no ideals: he discards them or uses them, as may suit his own interest.

They're always saying I'm a capitalistic pig. I suppose I am. But... it's good for my drumming.

I think most people act in their self-interest.

Men are not against you; they are merely for themselves.

Capitalism is economic Darwinism…free enterprise is code for individualistic amorality…the marketplace is the temple of secular humanism.

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

Socialism errs in thinking it can force sinful humans to be what they are not. Capitalism errs in thinking that putting sin to good use will transform it into virtue.

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

Ultimately, and I believe this is one of the fundamental problems with socialism, it's that human beings do have self-interest. It's very hard to ignore that self-interest when you're creating a government structure.

I just look at what is best for me.

I'm sure some cynical people would point to that as the main reason for doing it for a lot of people.

There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth.

I think that in today's world, by nature, we are all self-centered. And that often leads to selfishness.

Capitalism has destroyed our belief in any effective power but that of self interest backed by force.

People are motivated by the desires for privilege, for power, for profit. Those are not shocking revelations. Anyone who's had any experience in life knows these things.

Men are moved by two levers only: fear and self interest.

Ruin is the destination toward which all men rush, each pursuing his own best interest in a society that believes in the freedom of the commons.

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.

Ambition is the mother of hypocrisy and prefers to skulk in corners and dark places. It cannot endure the light of day. It is an unclean vice wallowing in the depths, always hidden, but with ever an eye to advancement.