self-interest

[ self-in-ter-ist, -trist, self- ]

/ ˌsɛlfˈɪn tər ɪst, -trɪst, ˈsɛlf- /

regard for one's own interest or advantage, especially with disregard for others.

personal interest or advantage.

Origin of self-interest

First recorded in 1640–50

self-in·ter·est·ed, adjective self-in·ter·est·ed·ness, noun

Marrying yourself merely underscores selfishness and self-interest, rather than enabling you to live singly in the best way.

Why Singles Should Say ‘I Don’t’ to The Self-Marriage Movement |Tim Teeman |December 30, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
You have to be very angry to be at the point where you no longer have any self-interest.

The Very Rich Should Divorce Very Quietly |Vicky Ward |November 6, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
“Better” means more courageous and more independent, less partisan and less motivated by self-interest.

Obama and Latinos Are at the Breaking Point |Ruben Navarrette Jr. |July 21, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Is that the ultimate message of House of Cards—that politics is all about self-interest?

Beau Willimon on Most Shocking Twists in ‘House of Cards’ Season 2 |Andrew Romano |February 15, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

Of course, Ford was motivated more by self-interest than by altruism.

Henry Ford Understood That Raising Wages Would Bring Him More Profit |Daniel Gross |January 6, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Reformation, in a man like me, means cowardice or self-interest.

Two Men of Sandy Bar |Bret Harte
Will springs from the two elements of moral sense and self-interest.

The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Two |Abraham Lincoln
Self-interest is, in fact, the best protection from oppression.

The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III. |E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
There—it is noble, it is beautiful; its grace is marred by no fleck or blemish or suggestion of self-interest.

What Is Man? And Other Stories |Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
A stronger reason than self-interest, or than fear, however, will guide the Italians.

Current History, A Monthly Magazine |New York Times

self-interest

one's personal interest or advantage

the act or an instance of pursuing one's own interest

self-interested, adjective self-interestedness, noun