every man for himself and the devil shall / might as well take the hindmost
/ˈɛvɹi mˈæn fɔːɹ hɪmsˈɛlf ænd ðə dˈɛvəl ʃˌæl mˌaɪt æz wˈɛl tˈeɪk ðə hˈaɪndmoʊst/
sentence
used to imply that in a difficult or competitive situation, individuals prioritize their own well-being and survival above others
every miller draws water to his / their own mill
/ˈɛvɹi mˈɪlɚ dɹˈɔːz wˈɔːɾɚ tə hɪz ɔːɹ ðɛɹ ˈoʊn mˈɪl/
sentence
used to imply that people will act in their own self-interest and use whatever resources they have available to achieve their own goals, even if it means working against other
near is my shirt, but nearer is my skin
/nˌɪɹ ɪz maɪ ʃˈɜːt bˌʌt nˈɪɹɚɹ ɪz maɪ skˈɪn/
sentence
used to imply that individuals have a tendency to prioritize their own needs, safety, and comfort over other external considerations
self-preservation is the first law of nature
/sˈɛlfpɹɪsɚvˈeɪʃən ɪz ðə fˈɜːst lˈɔː ʌv nˈeɪtʃɚ/
sentence
used to imply that every living creature has a natural instinct to protect itself and ensure its own survival
selfishness knows no bound
/sˈɛlfɪʃnəs nˈoʊz nˈoʊ bˈaʊnd/
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used to imply that selfish people are often willing to act in ways that benefit themselves, even if it causes harm to others or goes beyond the acceptable limits of behavior
selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live
/sˈɛlfɪʃnəs ɪz nˌɑːt lˈɪvɪŋ æz wˈʌn wˈɪʃᵻz tə lˈɪv ɪt ɪz ˈæskɪŋ ˈʌðɚz tə lˈɪv æz wˈʌn wˈɪʃᵻz tə lˈɪv/
sentence
said to imply is not simply pursuing one's own interests, but also trying to impose one's will on others, rather than respecting their autonomy and allowing them to live as they wish
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