Egoism
the habit of valuing everything only in reference to one’s personal interest; selfishness (opposed to ).
or conceit.
Ethics. the view that morality ultimately rests on self-interest.
Historical Examples
Yet, for all his humility, he was possessed by a spirit of egoism that repelled me.
Zuleika Dobson Max Beerbohm
Ennui, having its roots in an egoism she did not possess, was unknown to her.
Virginia Ellen Glasgow
He had no foregone conclusions, no arbitrary predeterminations, no obstinacy, and no egoism.
The God-Idea of the Ancients Eliza Burt Gamble
In the seventeenth century men still had the courage of their egoism.
Rosinante to the Road Again John Dos Passos
But I had whined from the moment I met you, because I was sickly with egoism and loneliness and self-pity.
The Gentleman From Indiana Booth Tarkington
egoism is the arch-enemy of love, selfishness is the manifestation of egoism.
Sex=The Unknown Quantity Ali Nomad
What conceivable cunning could do such execution as her stupendous appeal to masculine vanity, sentimentality, egoism?
Damn! Henry Louis Mencken
Michael smiled at this egoism that could not help being charming.
Michael E. F. Benson
I would not commit an egoism,’ she said; but if the sense of admiration do you good, I wish it had a worthier cause.’
The Young Step-Mother Charlotte M. Yonge
With the failure of his pilgrimage he had lost all hope, all ‘egoism.’
Tatterdemalion John Galsworthy
noun
concern for one’s own interests and welfare
(ethics) the theory that the pursuit of one’s own welfare is the highest good Compare altruism
self-centredness; egotism
n.
1785, in metaphysics (see egoist), from French égoisme (1755), from Modern Latin egoismus, from Latin ego (see ego). Meaning “self-interest” is from 1800.
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a self-centered or selfish person (opposed to ). an arrogantly conceited person; . an adherent of the metaphysical principle of the , or self; solipsist. Historical Examples Doctor Hartley was looking at him with the undisguised enmity of the egoist tricked. Bella Donna Robert Hichens The sentiments of the egoist are summed up in the […]
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pertaining to or of the nature of . being centered in or preoccupied with oneself and the gratification of one’s own desires; self-centered (opposed to ). Historical Examples From the egoistic point of view this experiment is exclusively negative. The Sexual Question August Forel He was not so hard, however, as he was egoistic, and […]
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excessive and objectionable reference to oneself in conversation or writing; conceit; boastfulness. selfishness; self-centeredness; . Contemporary Examples For all his egotism and irascibility, Churchill was a good man as well as a great one. Boris Johnson’s Churchill Man Crush Michael F. Bishop November 21, 2014 Historical Examples In all things he looked only to himself, […]
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a conceited, boastful person. a selfish person; . Historical Examples But Kalugin was an egotist and gifted with nerves of steel; in a word, he was what is called brave. Sevastopol Lyof N. Tolsto On our knees the egotist must die, and the altruist be born. My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year John Henry […]
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pertaining to or characterized by . given to talking about oneself; vain; boastful; opinionated. indifferent to the well-being of others; selfish. Contemporary Examples “egotistic verve” was a quality of which neither had a lack. Best of Brit Lit Peter Stothard July 8, 2009 Historical Examples For the egotistic garrulity of the author there is, in […]