Quote by Bertrand Russell

By self-interest, Man has become gregarious, but in instinct he has remained to a great extent solitary; hence the need of religion and morality to reinforce self-interest

By self-interest, Man has become gregarious, but in instinct

Summary

This quote suggests that humans are naturally inclined towards self-interest and individualism, reflected in their instinctual behavior. However, the emergence of societal structures and the desire to connect with others has made humans more social or "gregarious." Despite this, the quote implies that underlying instincts still drive individuals to prioritize their own needs. Religion and morality are seen as necessary forces to bolster self-interest and maintain social harmony by providing guiding principles and values that encourage people to consider the welfare of others alongside their own interests.

Topics

Self Interest

By Bertrand Russell

Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.

Random Quotations

Science fiction is no more written for scientists that ghost

Science fiction is no more written for scientists that ghost stories are written for ghosts.

Science

I want to kick-start your imagination and let you discover t

I want to kick-start your imagination and let you discover the places it can take you.

Imagination

Never marry a man who hates his mother, because he'll end up

Never marry a man who hates his mother, because he'll end up hating you.

Marriage

I claim to be an average man of less than average ability. I

I claim to be an average man of less than average ability. I have not the shadow of a doubt that any man or woman can achieve what I have, if he or she would make the same effort and cultivate the same hope and faith.

Achievement

The funny thing was, you see, that Mike Fink didn't think of

The funny thing was, you see, that Mike Fink didn't think of himself as a murderer. He thought of life as a contest, and dying was what happened to those who came out second best, but it wasn't the same as murder, it was a fair fight.

Orson Scott Card

Life Funny

When we hear news we should always wait for the sacrament of

When we hear news we should always wait for the sacrament of confirmation.

Real genius is nothing else but the supernatural virtue of h

Real genius is nothing else but the supernatural virtue of humility in the domain of thought.

Genius

Perhaps there is supranatural: reason beyond the normal defi

Perhaps there is supranatural: reason beyond the normal definitions of fact or data-based logic; something that only makes sense if you can see a bigger picture of reality. Maybe that is where faith fits in.

Wisdom Life Faith

Sometimes we hold on to our possessions because we fear we m

Sometimes we hold on to our possessions because we fear we might run out - life seems scarce. But when we believe that giving is the way to live, we will produce more in the future - life seems abundant.

John C. Maxwell

Generosity

The office of president is a bastardized thing, half royalty

The office of president is a bastardized thing, half royalty and half democracy that nobody knows whether to genuflect or spit.

Politics

For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brothe

For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother tomorrow.

William Shakespeare

Every soldier must know, before he goes into battle, how the

Every soldier must know, before he goes into battle, how the little battle he is to fight fits into the larger picture, and how the success of his fighting will influence the battle as a whole.

Bernard Law Montgomery

Success