Selfishness isn't always bad

Everyone wants to be friendly with generous people because those people think about others and try to help others whenever they can. Sometimes those people are ready to bear losses for the sake of helping others. It is something everyone cannot do, and, in this world, generous and kind people are decreasing with time, but still, there are people like that, and it’s indeed a good thing. On the other hand, people always try to stay far from selfish people because people think selfish people can do anything for their selfish motive, and it’s better to keep distance from them for their own safety.

picture generated by rafiki

Does it mean that selfishness is not a good thing? Is it kind of crime? I’m sure people have different opinions about it, but most people don’t think selfishness is a good act, and I can understand the thoughts behind it. But I believe that being selfish is not a bad thing. Sometimes selfishness means focusing on us or giving priority to ourselves. I strongly believe that selfishness is not a bad thing as long as it does not harm others. Let me share an example to make it understood in a better way.

Suppose you are giving an exam, which is very important to you. You prepared yourself well for the exam, and you are capable of writing the answers to those questions to get full marks. Imagine that the person sitting beside you is not good and may fail the exam. You can offer help if you want to be generous, as you know the answers, but it naturally costs you time. If you choose to help the student, you may not get the expected marks for which you are qualified. What kind of decision do you want to make in such a situation: being generous or being selfish?

If I were in the same situation, I would choose to be selfish. I can be generous, but the cost of being generous is losing my marks as well as bringing loss for myself. And I should think that if the person didn’t care for the exam, why should I suffer loss just because of a careless person? Additionally, what will he do even if he passes the exam? I think if I help the person pass, it’s like betraying the education system as well as betraying the country, as I am helping a person pass the exam for which he is not even qualified, and it’s injustice to many other students as well. Moreover, the person will hold me back from getting the thing I deserve. I may get better facilities if I get more marks. At least, I am sure I may miss many opportunities for such a thing.

Aside from that, I just feel that I am not selfish; I am just self-aware and know what is best for me. I am not the foolish one to sacrifice my efforts for a person who doesn’t deserve it. If the person fails, it’s the consequence of his own fault or actions. Why should I suffer loss for an unqualified person? I am a calculative person, and I know how to reap my benefit. I never do such a thing for the sake of being generous that can bring me loss. So, I don’t think selfishness is a bad thing all the time.