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Complacency vs Selfish - What's the difference?

complacency | selfish |

As a noun complacency

is a feeling of contented self-satisfaction, especially when unaware of upcoming trouble.

As an adjective selfish is

holding one’s self-interest as the standard for decision making.

complacency

English

Alternative forms

* complacence

Noun

(complacencies)
  • A feeling of contented self-satisfaction, especially when unaware of upcoming trouble.
  • *
  • There was something pathetic in his concentration as if his complacency , more acute than of old, was not enough to him any more. When, almost immediately, the telephone rang inside and the butler left the porch Daisy seized upon the momentary interruption and leaned toward me.
  • * Addison
  • Others proclaim the infirmities of a great man with satisfaction and complacency , if they discover none of the like in themselves.
  • An instance of self-satisfaction.
  • selfish

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Holding one’s self-interest as the standard for decision making.
  • * 1997 , John Peniel, The Children Of The Law Of One & The Lost Teachings Of Atlantis , chapter 10, page 127
  • “We all have both a selfish separate self, and an Inner Being that is One with the Universal Spirit. In this sense, every human has a sort of ‘split personality’. We are all kind of what you call ‘schitzy’ with these two sides, these two people living within us. And they are in total opposition. The free will dictates which of these two sides will have its way in our life, at every given moment.”
  • Having regard for oneself above others’ well-being.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers)
  • , chapter=5, title= A Cuckoo in the Nest , passage=The most rapid and most seductive transition in all human nature is that which attends the palliation of a ravenous appetite.

    Usage notes

    * Said of people, motives, desires, acts, etc.

    Synonyms

    * egoistic * egotistic * egotistical * self-centered * greedy

    Antonyms

    * altruistic * philanthropic * selfless * unselfish

    Derived terms

    * selfishly * selfishness

    See also

    * self-serving

    Anagrams

    *