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

Quote by Bertrand Russell

Topics: Self Interest Quotes

I am a firm believer in democratic representative government as the best form for those...

I am a firm believer in democratic representative government as the best form for those...

Men who allow their love of power to give them a distorted view of the...

Men who allow their love of power to give them a distorted view of the...

It is not power itself, but the legitimation of the lust for power, which corrupts...

It is not power itself, but the legitimation of the lust for power, which corrupts...

Most political leaders acquire their position by causing large numbers of people to believe that...

Most political leaders acquire their position by causing large numbers of people to believe that...

In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark...

In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark...

Cruelty is in theory a perfectly adequate ground for divorce, but it may be interpreted...

Cruelty is in theory a perfectly adequate ground for divorce, but it may be interpreted...

Obscenity is whatever happens to shock some elderly and ignorant magistrate.

Obscenity is whatever happens to shock some elderly and ignorant magistrate.

I like mathematics because it is not human and has nothing particular to do with...

I like mathematics because it is not human and has nothing particular to do with...

Boredom is a vital problem for the moralist, since at least half the sins of...

Boredom is a vital problem for the moralist, since at least half the sins of...

So far as I can remember, there is not one word in the Gospels in...

So far as I can remember, there is not one word in the Gospels in...

My first advice on how not to grow old would be to choose you ancestors...

My first advice on how not to grow old would be to choose you ancestors...

The universe may have a purpose, but nothing we know suggests that, if so, this...

The universe may have a purpose, but nothing we know suggests that, if so, this...

I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong.

I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong.

If we could all live solitary and without labor, we could all enjoy this ecstasy...

If we could all live solitary and without labor, we could all enjoy this ecstasy...

I say quite deliberately that the Christian religion, as organized in its Churches, has been...

I say quite deliberately that the Christian religion, as organized in its Churches, has been...

Drunkenness is temporary suicide: the happiness that it brings is merely negative, a momentary cessation...

Drunkenness is temporary suicide: the happiness that it brings is merely negative, a momentary cessation...

Both in thought and in feeling, even though time be real, to realise the unimportance...

Both in thought and in feeling, even though time be real, to realise the unimportance...

The fundamental defect of Christian ethics consists in the fact that it labels certain classes...

The fundamental defect of Christian ethics consists in the fact that it labels certain classes...

God is living in the circle of eternity, and we the [straight] line cut from...

God is living in the circle of eternity, and we the [straight] line cut from...

The Old Testament is responsible for more atheism, agnosticism, disbelief-call it what you will-than any...

The Old Testament is responsible for more atheism, agnosticism, disbelief-call it what you will-than any...