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Selfish vs Jealousy - What's the difference?

selfish | jealousy |

As an adjective selfish

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

As a noun jealousy is

(uncountable) a state of suspicious guarding towards a spouse, lover etc, from fears of infidelity.

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

    *

    jealousy

    English

    Noun

  • (uncountable) A state of suspicious guarding towards a spouse, lover etc., from fears of infidelity.
  • (countable) A resentment towards someone for a perceived advantage or superiority they hold.
  • * 1907 , Charles J. Archard, The Portland Peerage Romance :
  • Jealousy was, however, aroused among the English nobility at the favouritism shown the Dutch newcomer.
  • Envy towards another's possessions
  • * 1891 , Louis Antoine Fauvelet De Bourrienne, translated by R. W. Phipps, Memoirs Of Napoleon Bonaparte :
  • .
  • (archaic) A close concern for someone or something, solicitude, vigilance.
  • * :
  • For euer I supoosed that he had ben to yonge and to tendyr to take vpon hym these aduentures / And therfore by my wille I wold haue dryuen hym aweye for Ialousy that I had of his lyf / for it maye be no yong knyghtes dede that shal enchyeue this aduenture to the ende

    Synonyms

    * jealousness

    Antonyms

    * compersion