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Red Rose – Nature Tuesday

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?

  • Question of

    Have you ever been called selfish?

    • Yes
    • No
    • Not sure
  • Question of

    Have you ever called someone selfish?

    • Yes
    • No
    • Not sure

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What do you think?

19 Points

Written by ellie925

20 Comments

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  1. 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.

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  2. 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?

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  3. 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

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  4. 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!

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  5. 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

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