Discussion Main / SecretlySelfish

To be honest, I feel like this trope is confusing self-interest for being selfish. While both are (on the surface) about doing things for yourself, I feel like there is a difference. Being selfish is about doing things for yourself at the EXPENSE of others, while self-interest is about caring for your own wellbeing that not only does not involve others, but can sometimes benefit them.

Edited by Lordmalgo

So I've found some works where the protagonist is doing good deeds mostly for selfish reasons (he wants to become famous) and is perfectly aware of it/happy with it. My question is if it should go on this page or would another trope be more appropriate?

Web Animation

• In RWBY, Pyrrha is a Nice Girl who treats everyone with no ill will (except for the baddies) and in particular is very caring towards her partner Jaune. She's actually subtly dropping hints on him, though, but she's so nice that she can't blurt it out to his face that she really wants him for the prom night because Jaune is apparently pining for another girl (and he thinks a popular girl like Pyrrha will easily get someone). Her friend Nora even calls her out on it, telling her to "practice what you preach" after Pyrrha tells Jaune to be more open to his "target". Eventually she does, by the time the prom itself starts.

Ok, how is that supposed to be anywhere near this trope? This is for when apparently altruistic act has or is suspected to have selfish motivation(for example, i see a girl in trouble and i save her. I look like Knight in Shining Armor but in reality i was hoping to invoke Rescue Romance). The fact that she's in love with him isn't particulary selfish in itself and the fact that in the end she pulled I Want My Beloved to Be Happy shows better than anything that she isn't selfish.

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