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Selfishness Vocabulary Set in Human Traits & Qualities: Full and Detailed List

The 'Selfishness' vocabulary set in 'Human Traits & Qualities' is carefully selected from standard international textbook sources, helping you master vocabulary in a short time. Comprehensive compilation of definitions, illustrative examples, and standard pronunciation...

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every man for himself and the devil shall take the hindmost

/ˈevri mæn fɔːr hɪmˈself ænd ðə ˈdevl ʃæl teɪk ðə ˈhaɪndmoʊst/

Example:

When the company started failing, it became every man for himself and the devil take the hindmost.

every miller draws water to his own mill

/ˈevri ˈmɪlər drɔːz ˈwɔːtər tuː hɪz oʊn mɪl/

Example:

In business, you have to be careful because every miller draws water to his own mill.

near is my shirt, but nearer is my skin

/nɪr ɪz maɪ ʃɜrt, bʌt ˈnɪr.ər ɪz maɪ skɪn/

Example:

I'd like to help the charity, but near is my shirt, but nearer is my skin, and I must pay my own bills first.

self-preservation is the first law of nature

/ˌselfˌprezərˈveɪʃən ɪz ðə fɜrst lɔ əv ˈneɪtʃər/

Example:

He ran from the fire without looking back; after all, self-preservation is the first law of nature.

selfishness knows no bound

/ˈsɛlfɪʃnəs noʊz noʊ baʊndz/

Example:

He took the last piece of bread without asking anyone; his selfishness knows no bounds.

selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live

/ˈsɛlfɪʃnəs ɪz nɑt ˈlɪvɪŋ æz wʌn ˈwɪʃəz tu lɪv, ɪt ɪz ˈæskɪŋ ˈʌðərz tu lɪv æz wʌn ˈwɪʃəz tu lɪv/

Example:

Oscar Wilde famously said that selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.
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