Top 10 Thoughtful Essays on the Selfish Lifestyle of Today's Youth

Everyone strives to define a lifestyle that suits them, but is that lifestyle a positive one? Or does it bring shame to society? When discussing negative lifestyles, we cannot ignore the selfish behaviors that some individuals exhibit today. But what exactly does selfishness mean? It refers to an attitude where one only cares about their own interests, with no regard for others. A selfish person is often petty, calculating, and self-centered. As a result, they are seldom liked or welcomed by others. A perfect example of this selfishness is the brother in the story 'My Sister's Painting' by author Tạ Duy Anh, a man filled with jealousy and resentment toward his sister. Selfishness is a trait that alienates others and even breeds dislike. Moreover, selfishness can lead to social isolation, leaving you friendless and abandoned. We must avoid selfishness as it only brings negative judgments about us. In life, we should not only think of ourselves but also consider the needs of others. Let us all be more generous and share the good things with one another!

The most poisonous pill that kills the human soul is perhaps selfishness. It arises from envy, resentment, and the narrowness of the heart when living in a community. Selfishness manifests in various ways: from not wanting to share for fear of personal loss, to being petty and unforgiving when others seek redemption. But who, in this life, is truly happier or more successful than anyone else? Sharing with others means strengthening the compassionate cells of your heart, while selfishness, even in the smallest things, causes the roots of your soul to wither. By clinging to selfishness, you distance yourself from human connections and the warmth of society. Even more alarming, selfishness is like a virus that stunts the growth of human civilization, leading to apathy. Countless tragedies—spouses, siblings, and families turning against one another over a word, an action, or the division of inheritance—stem from selfishness. We must condemn those who embrace extreme selfishness, support those who are still vulnerable to its influence, and celebrate the kindness in others. Life is filled with the fragrance of happiness when we confront selfishness, but it will be overshadowed by resentment if we choose to follow its path.

Life is inherently full of sorrow, and while we know that life is not a magical land governed by kindness and forgiveness, the moral decay and the once-clear skies of life are now increasingly clouded, chaotic, and tainted. This deterioration is largely fueled by selfishness and greed. People are often lonely and neglected, but they weep because they fail to care for others. This creates a selfish, ruthless society, devoid of compassion. High-ranking officials, who are supposed to serve and love the people, often reveal themselves to be self-serving, hoarding wealth as the truth comes to light, while selfishness and greed corrupt their integrity. Too often, people only care about their own interests, trampling on the love, concern, and welfare of others. The greatest tragedy for humanity is that people are growing more distant, pushing each other down to gain what they want. Selfishness is becoming a deeply negative way of life, fueling hatred and jealousy when others benefit more than you. People are willing to forsake friendships, love, and relationships for insignificant amounts of money. However, there is a type of selfishness that is often seen as a form of love—when two people share a bond and initially do not include a third party. But when complications arise, humans naturally become possessive, revealing the selfish tendencies inherent in human nature. Moreover, we must strongly condemn those who turn a blind eye, like a young person witnessing an elderly woman in distress without offering help. Punish those who only care about themselves and never make room for others. We must find an effective remedy for this epidemic of selfishness so that life can be beautiful once again.

Selfishness is a condemnable way of life. It destroys love and leaves a barren soul, one that only knows how to love itself and has no regard for others. People become so engrossed in their own world that they pursue personal gain, ignoring the welfare of the community. A selfish person seeks to exploit others for their own benefit, and when they see others succeed, envy and jealousy take root. Faced with suffering and injustice, the selfish person remains unmoved, without empathy or compassion. They fail to appreciate the spirit of sacrifice for the greater good, the bonds of community, and the value of sharing. When selfishness becomes the prevailing lifestyle for some, it leads to the degradation of character. The prideful heart becomes withered and neglected, driving the individual further away from society. As selfishness spreads in our lives, traditional moral values begin to seem alien and out of place. The greater danger is that when individualism takes over, it inevitably creates a society devoid of human connection. Therefore, now more than ever, each of us must strive to free ourselves and society from this destructive way of life.

Selfishness might be the only poison that suffocates the human soul with its bitter, sour taste. It arises from envy, jealousy, and the narrowness of your heart when you're in a group or community. Selfishness manifests in many forms, such as being reluctant to share for fear of personal loss or showing disdain when others express regret. But ask yourself, who is the happiest person in this world? Who is the most successful? Sharing means implanting compassionate and healthy cells into your heart, while selfishness over the smallest things takes root deep in your soul, slowly eroding it. By being selfish, you separate yourself from relationships, from your community, and from the warmth of human connection. Selfishness is a virus that hinders the progress of human civilization, and its clearest symptom is the rise of apathy... leading to harm through cruel words or actions, or by being content with inherited wealth. We must strongly condemn the selfish, assist those who are weak in resisting the selfish virus, and praise the goodness in others. Life is filled with happiness when we embrace it fully. It is filled with anger if you choose to follow the path of selfishness.

Everyone chooses a way of life that suits them, but is that way of life truly a good one? Or will it only bring shame to society? When we talk about negative lifestyles, we cannot ignore the selfishness of some individuals in modern society. So, what does selfishness mean? It is when you only think about yourself and disregard others. A selfish person is someone who is petty and calculating. This is why no one enjoys being around them. A prime example of this is the older brother in the story “My Sister’s Photos” by Tạ Duy Anh. Full of jealousy and envy, he is a narrow-minded sibling. Selfishness is a lifestyle that is not liked by many. Additionally, selfishness will cause you to be distanced by others, and soon, no one will want to be your friend. You will find yourself abandoned. We should not be selfish because others will judge us negatively. In life, we must think not only of ourselves but also of others. Let us all be generous and share the good things in life with one another!

Selfishness is a negative lifestyle that anyone can easily fall into. As Hồ Chí Minh once said, "Subjective illness, selfishness, narrow-mindedness, etc., each illness is an enemy. Each enemy within is an ally to the external enemy. The external enemy is not frightening. The internal enemy is more dangerous because it destroys from within." Selfishness makes people cruel and narrow-minded. They no longer rejoice in the happiness of others, nor feel sadness for the misfortunes of others, always desiring to be above everyone else. Over time, they isolate themselves from the rest, becoming lonely and rejected by friends. Selfishness is also the root cause of apathy. When one prioritizes their own desires over all else, they become indifferent to the lives of those around them. In a society full of selfish individuals, the consequences are dire. If everyone only cares about their own benefits, teamwork will falter, and society will lose its sense of unity and progress. Isn’t it due to the selfishness and greed of some people that they can embezzle millions from the public funds, trampling on the lives of citizens for their own gain? Because such people still exist in society, the lives of the people continue to be difficult, and we remain unable to rise up alongside the international community. Right now, we must observe and care for those around us, let go of our egos when necessary, place the community’s interests above our own, interact and engage with others, and participate in group activities to break the barriers of selfishness. Overcoming selfishness is not an easy task, but it is a worthy process. It is shameful for those who, driven by selfishness and greed, trample on the rights of others. These are the individuals who should be condemned, as they slow down the collective progress of society.

Each person is born unique, with distinct personalities and traits. However, in a society that increasingly values communal living, no one should live with selfishness. Selfishness is living only for oneself, focusing solely on personal gain without regard for others. Selfish individuals always prioritize their own interests over the well-being of others or the collective. They live closed off, reluctant to face challenges, pushing responsibilities onto others while only seeking the benefits without contributing. For example, in a classroom, when a peer asks for help with a difficult problem that you’ve already solved, the selfish person avoids sharing, fearing that the other will excel and outshine them, so they lie or change the subject. Or when the whole class goes out for a drink after a hard day's work, while others chat happily, a selfish person might frown, thinking, 'I’ve worked myself to exhaustion, yet they did only a little and still enjoy the same reward.' Didn’t Uncle Ho once say, “Labor is glory”? But in that moment, the selfish person fails to grasp the true meaning, as their selfishness clouds their judgment and makes them even more frustrated. Selfishness is a negative way of living, not only eroding one's own character but also damaging the fabric of society.

Although life is not a magical land where kindness and selflessness reign, the world often feels dim, with a fading moral compass. However, the moral decay of society—where the sky turns from blue to gray and chaotic—can largely be attributed to human selfishness and greed. People constantly complain about their loneliness and lack of attention, yet they rarely show any care for others. Selfishness breeds a society of self-interest and inhumanity. Have you heard of high-ranking officials who claim to serve the people, but when the truth is revealed, they are only concerned with fattening their own pockets? Their selfishness and greed gradually transform them into corrupt individuals. At times, they become so absorbed in their own gains that they trample on compassion and others' well-being. The most painful truth is that humanity is slowly becoming more divided, trampling over each other to get what they want. Selfishness then breeds hatred, jealousy, and envy when someone has more than oneself. People are willing to discard friendships, love, and all relationships to gain trivial rewards. Yet, there is a form of selfishness that people accept—selfishness in love. Love is an intimate bond between two people and is not meant for a third party. Hence, when something unnatural happens, people feel possessiveness and selfishness, which are inherent to human nature. On the other hand, we must strongly condemn those who live in indifference, like a young man who sees an elderly woman fall but doesn’t stop to help because he’s afraid of being late for class and punished. Or those who only care about themselves and never show consideration for others. We must find a cure for this 21st-century disease to make life better.

Selfishness is a way of living that deserves condemnation. It erodes love and compassion, leaving a dry soul that cares only for oneself while disregarding others. People trapped in their own worlds prioritize personal gain, neglecting the collective good. A selfish person seeks to take what belongs to others, envying their success. In the face of suffering and injustice, they remain unmoved, indifferent; they also fail to value selflessness, empathy, and the spirit of community. When selfishness becomes a widespread way of life, it leads to moral decay. At that point, the selfish individual's heart withers, isolating them from others. As selfishness becomes more common, traditional moral values become foreign, lost in the shuffle. More dangerously, the rise of individualism inevitably creates a society devoid of human connection. Therefore, now more than ever, we must strive to eliminate this selfish way of life, both within ourselves and in society.