–adjective
1. devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others.
2. characterized by or manifesting concern or care only for oneself: selfish motives.
Origin:
1630–40; self + -ish 1
Related forms:
self⋅ish⋅ly, adverb
self⋅ish⋅ness, noun
Synonyms:
1. self-interested, self-seeking, egoistic; illiberal, parsimonious, stingy.
Webster 1928:
SELF’ISH, a. Regarding one’s own interest chiefly or soley; influenced in actions by a view to private advantage.
http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/selfish
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In a marriage two become one. The interest of the self is also the interest of the spouse. That is also a needed form of selfishness. But the first and primary form — looking out for the best interest of one’s own self — is what is missing in failed marriages, imo.
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Did you know that many modern couples and marriage counselors and theories are socialistic tripe? They all have some things that work, the truth that saves a lie, so to say. Now stop being little marxists.