(ˈ) ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷( ̷ ̷)(ˌ) ̷ ̷ noun
1. : one's own interest or advantage
our self-interest … requires that we do everything in our power to guarantee that the children of Europe grow up strong — George Kent
2. : a concern for one's own advantage and material well-being
self-interest is regarded as the most, if not the only, reliable motivating force in economic behavior — A.F.Chalk