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# The Quid Pro Quo of Altruism and Greed
- URL: https://www.bramadams.dev/202301082337/
- Published: 2023-01-28T02:37:05.000Z
- Updated: 2023-01-28T02:37:05.000Z
- Author: Bram Adams
- Tags: philosophy

> If I love myself I will express that love in my interactions with you, and then I am being impeccable with the word, because that action will produce a like reaction. **If I love you, then you will love me. If I insult you, you will insult me. If I have gratitude for you, you will have gratitude for me. If I’m selfish with you, you will be selfish with me.** If I use the word to put a spell on you, you are going to put a spell on me. ([Location 314](https://readwise.io/to%5Fkindle?action=open&asin=B005BRS8Z6&location=314&ref=bramadams.dev))

- To give with the expectation to receive
- Every action has an equal and opposite reaction

> Yet Smith’s claim that the selfish human urge to increase private profits is the basis for collective wealth is one of the most revolutionary ideas in human history – revolutionary not just from an economic perspective, but even more so from a moral and political perspective. What Smith says is, in fact, that **greed is good, and that by becoming richer I benefit everybody, not just myself. Egoism is altruism.** ([Location 4793](https://readwise.io/to%5Fkindle?action=open&asin=B00ICN066A&location=4793&ref=bramadams.dev))

> Patronage is an emerging funding system for online creators today, but it’s frequently conflated with the concept of “donations.” **Patronage isn’t motivated by altruism but by an interest in following a creator’s future work, based on their current reputation. It’s more like a subscription than a donation.** ([Location 3118](https://readwise.io/to%5Fkindle?action=open&asin=B08BDGXVK9&location=3118&ref=bramadams.dev))

[^c8707a](https://www.bramadams.dev/202301082316)