Definition of: selfishness

(sel′fish·nis) noun
The quality of being selfish; undue regard for one's own interest, regardless of others. Synonym: self–love. Self–love is a due care for one's own happiness and well–being, which is perfectly compatible with justice, generosity, or benevolence toward others; selfishness is an undue or exclusive care for one's own comfort or pleasure, regardless of the happiness, and often of the rights, of others. Self–love is necessary to high endeavor, and even to self–preservation; selfishness limits endeavor to a narrow circle of intensely personal aims. Antonyms: See synonyms under BENEVOLENCE.