ellie925
Quotes have gained a bad reputation lately because they often get used on social media as a passive-aggressive way to imply something. However, I like them and they often provide some food for thought. I came across this quote by Oscar Wilde, and it stuck to my mind:
“Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live. … A red rose is not selfish because it wants to be a red rose. It would be horribly selfish if it wanted all the other flowers in the garden to be both red and roses.”
You can read the whole quote here, it’s a long one.
I like the opposition between living your way and making others live your way. Diversity is important and can be very enriching. Sometimes, we can learn more from people who are very different from us, than someone who shares the same views as us.
What’s your opinion? Do you think this quote is an excuse to be selfish or do you agree with it?
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Question of
Have you ever been called selfish?
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Yes
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No
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Not sure
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Question of
Have you ever called someone selfish?
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Yes
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No
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Not sure
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That’s okay, the important thing is you found it somehow 🙂
The rose is beautiful.I think every person is at least a little selfish.
Thank you very much! I think so too.
A beautiful rose. When I wanted to take care of myself, I was selfish. That’s what my ex-friend told me.
It is sad to hear something like that from someone you consider a friend.
I totally agree. That’s why he became my ex-friend.
Selfish can have many meanings to different people. Sometimes we have the right to take care of ourselves and look out and do the right thing for us. That is often called being selfish. I think it is necessary. On the other hand, there is a bad side to selfishness that I will not tolerate from others.
That’s true, selfishness has a different definition to different people.
That is one thing I am not – selfish. I believe selfish people consider only themselves , they don’t care how their way of life affects others or what it costs others.
Would you consider this generation more selfish?
I don’t think people are necessarily more selfish now than they used to be, we just have more means to express it nowadays.
I think every person is at least a little selfish, dear Ellie …. I think you have to be selfish sometimes … if not to others but to yourself … and to some extent … the rose is beautiful
Thank you, I agree with you.
I am glad that we all share the same opinion
I think people on the internet hide behind more than quotes. But they do also hide behind quotes.
I have three rules about selfishness.
1. everyone is selfish and should be at times.
2. everyone has to stop at times and not be selfish.
3. Anyone that says “I am not selfish” is lying.
Following those three rules helps. It is ok to be selfish to protect yourself or to do things that make only you happy.
But when the time comes for you to give, then it is not ok to be selfish!
These are good points! Even acts of generosity can bring us personal pleasure or feed the positive image we have of ourselves, and sometimes we need to take a step back and evaluate our motives, especially when help isn’t asked for. I learnt that the hard way.
that is my is where my 3rd rule came from. Years of experience. Anyone that says I am not selfish, is a liar.
I am not selfish but there are selfish people around me.
Nature is partial to roses I think Just look at the shapes,colours, sizes………….!!!
I think everyone is more or less selfish, but it’s okay as long as it doesn’t really hurt other people.
That is a very lovely rose. I have never been selfish and share whenever I can or when someone needs something. I have known people who were very selfish and even if they could not use something they would never share it with anyone else
Thank you so much! I know such people too, sometimes they have some past experience that make them act this way.