self-interest

self- +‎ interest

self-interest (countable and uncountable, plural self-interests)

1. One's personal interest or advantage, especially when pursued without regard for others.

   I cannot abandon my husband for the sake of self-interest and personal gain.

   • 2022 July 27, Charles Hugh Smith, There Won't Be Any Winners Because The Status Quo Is Corrupt Everywhere‎:

     Corruption becomes fatal when those in power are no longer able to distinguish the difference between self-interest and the national interest.

   • 2023 March 8, Howard Johnston, “Was Marples the real railway wrecker?”, in RAIL, number 978, page 52:

     Government standards of decency and honesty were quite low, and decision-makers were tainted with self-interest and corruption at the very highest level.

• self-interested
• self-serving