David Hume The Chief Reason Of Selfishness

David Hume holds the opinion that selfishness is man’s most substantial characteristic. He believes that though it is rare to find someone “who loves any single person better than himself; yet it is as rare to meet with one, in whom all the kind affections, taken together, do not overbalance all the selfish” (423). In fact, Moliére’s Harpagon is governed by selfishness and we must consider that this is the chief reason of his greed. Harpagon is selfish because he is delighted to hear declarations that increase his own-importance. When in need of money, Frosine puts on the masque of hypocrisy and flatters him, “You’ve got exactly the sort of figure women fall in love with, and you dress the part too”; “You’re irresistible. Your face is a picture”;