There is no word more generally misinterpreted than the word egoism, in its modern sense.

For each one of us stands alone in the midst of a universe.

But egoism is more than this. It is the realization by the individual that he is above all institutions and all formulas; that they exist only so far as he chooses to make them his own by accepting them.

There is never enough gold to redeem all the currency in circulation.

According to your sympathy, you will take pleasure in your own happiness or in the happiness of other people; but it is always your own happiness you seek.

The egoist is fooled by no ideals: he discards them or uses them, as may suit his own interest.

Not an old woman that buys a paper of pins, without yielding a part of the price to the banks as interest!