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.

Large sums were paid for the use of money, because the available amount of gold and silver was far less than was needed to carry on the commercial transactions of the times.

The business of a bank is to lend money; which amounts, nowadays, to lending credit.

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.

However near and dear to you may be your wife, children, friends, they are not you; they are outside of you.

In precisely the same way money is often hired, and the hire paid for the use of it is called Interest.

In brief, egoism in its modern interpretation, is the antithesis, not of altruism, but of idealism.