How selfish are you???

Well I am a believer of Ayn Rand's philosophies, it's not a horrible thing to think about yourself before others, when you get yourself out of the way then you can think about other people. When it comes to me I get myself out of the way and use my extra resources for the future. Instead of calling it "selfish" I call it self preservation.

I say take a few hours out of a long uneventful day and read "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand. She gives a wonderful argument, in fiction no less, about how everybody is selfish due to our inherent "survival of the fittest" instinctual programming. That selfishness is even found in charitable action because charity and acts of kindness, does indeed do well for others but also makes ourselves feel good. And that any acts of selfless feats for others is actually a weakness. I on the other hand like to help people, its a compulsion, and something I've had to temper over the years due to unscrupulous characters taking advantage of me throughout my life.

Many of us get self centred during some phases of our life. I have too. But the unselfish actions of some have made me learn otherwise. Today i'm trying to put others before me. There may be instances when the attention is drawn towards the self, but recognising them and moving past them is the challenge.

i think we have to a bit selfish.. i do put myself first at times.. especially when i know i need to.. like putting myself first when i am sick - i would tell my husband to go out and buy food so that i dont have to cook and could rest.. i think it is important to let people know that we do hold ourself important. if we too unselfish, and always willing to help others, or put others before ourself, we will come across some 'ungrateful' creature who will take advantage and step all over us.. i would consider myself a kind-hearted person also.. but i am also cautious..

im a soft kinda person with little selfishness, but now a days im getting more selfish sense...it gotta be me first and others next...im trying to avoid my selfishness...but to a little extent...but i dont mind other s works..im very clear in my life, that i mind only my work...i wont let my thoughts to travel in to others personal matters..wat ever i do, its all for me...i dont mind others...i think of myself...im kind a Vegeta

I would say that i am selfish to an extent. I give when i have the extra money to give. I try to not give to those who are a fake but its still so hard to tell who really needs it and who doesn't.

As you said everyone has some bit of selfishness in them but some are more selfish than others. While other people are kind and giving and it is part of their character. I love to help and give to other people even when it sometimes has hurt me or caused me stress or fatique or a lack of something but nothing that is life threatening. I give to people because I like to do so. I do not ask for something back.

Honestly I have gotten more selfish as I have gotten older, which still isn't very selfish. LOL! Until recently I would give, give and give more until it hurt. I have slowed down in that as it didn't help the person that I kept giving too, it was no longer a helping hand it was allowing them to never improve themselves. Even with time for me, I never NEVER had any, so I joined a womens pool league (love the game) and It is for about 4 months during the winter months on Sat. for about 4 hours. That there is my time and I really love it! I found when you let someone always use you or just not consider your feelings that you can start to resent them and that isn't good for anyone, so I had to decide what would work So I'm still giving and would do anything for almost anyone but at the same time I make sure I'm whole and that my family is taken cared of first.

That will NOT be easy to find. Maybe you should try something easier, like trying to find a Unicorn...or maybe a politician you really is interested in what their constituents think! lol I seriously I believe their are very few people in human history that are totally selfless. Really, there is nothing wrong with being selfish some of the time.

I think everyone is selfish to an extent - they put their personal needs ahead of everything and everyone else. I can be a total softie when it comes to family and friends..even charities to an extend but I have a hard time with the idea that some dont try to help themselves. I like to share BUT i like to see people able to care for themselves as well. Kind of the same as giving someone a fishing pole rather than a fish. Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day give a man a fishing pole and he'll eat for longer. (i know people who live on welfare because they dont want to work but are perfectly capable...a few who had kids because of the extra money welfare or family allowance gives them)

I can say I'm not a sefish person.But can't say totally unselfish.I know a beat selfish I'm.But my selfishness don't harm any body.I try to help my colleagues. For this I had to pay.The employer did not take it easy.My wife always says me to be selfish to protect my interest.In this case I'm disobedient to her.

I like to think of myself as a very generous and open. In most situations I will put others before myself. If I feel that there will be a mutual benefit then I will always help others. If I feel there will be a benefit to myself and give me an edge, I might be a little more selfish. Sometimes, you have to look out for yourself before others. It really depends on the circumstance.

Hey! As they say, to suceed you have to be selfish. That is for business. I know you understand what I mean, but what you are trying to talk is that we shouldn't be so selfish in treating those in need. Because we must alway be a little selfish

I don't consider myself a selfish person. However, at times, I think I could be a bit more altruistic. For example, I have a friend who's studying in a foreign country and he's a really good friend, but when he comes to my country I often prefer to do the same things I do everyday instead of meeting him because I don't want to travel by train. That hurts people sometimes and I understand. I guess I could be less self-centered sometimes, but that's just the way it goes. I'm trying to change it...on time.

I only met one unselfish person in my life and I'm quite sure he was insane. He tried to rescue roadkill and was struck by a semi truck. As for myself, I have never been unselfish person but I sometimes do unselfish things.

One thing i think im selfish about is food, or more precisely chocolates. I always steal the chocolate my sister hides in the refridgerator. A very difficult to resist temptation for me... he he....