The Importance of Selfishness There's no place on earth where people are educated by being told to be selfish. And, well, the word "selfish" almost ever has just negative implications, but as well as any other element or tool it can have also some positive ones. The human crave for satisfying his own needs and expressing his own feelings can be even higher than the urge to serve and please others... an obligation often imposed by work, family and social expectations. We must be first in peace with ourselves in order to cope with life standards and expectations.