According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy “Behavior is normally described as altruistic when it is motivated by a desire to benefit someone other than oneself for that person’s sake. The term is used as the contrary of “self-interested” or “selfish” or “egoistic”—words applied to behavior that is motivated solely by the desire to benefit oneself.”
Ayn Rand, a writer and philosopher states that the basic principle of altruism is that man has no right to exist for his own sake, that service to others is the only justification of his existence, and that self-sacrifice is his highest moral duty, virtue and value. She points out not to confuse altruism with kindness, good will or respect for the rights of others. These are not primaries, but consequences, which, in fact, altruism makes impossible.

When we do something kind to someone we do not expect anything back, we do it for our own sake. Sometimes we do it effortlessly and spontaneously other times we exert effort and our time, but by doing something kind to others we benefit ourselves. Through kind acts we experience life’s meaning and fulfillment. By helping others we may feel important and valued, gain experience, use our skills, talents and gifts, all of which gives us life energy.
We often hear people label people, who meet their interests first, as egoists, but who is that self-centered egoist?
Egoist is one who wants other people to take care of his business, it is one who doesn’t want to take responsibility for his needs.

Egoist is one who emptied herself and now demands everyone else to take care of her.
Egoist is one who is irresponsible and infantile. For example, it is egotistical not to take care of your health and then demand others to take care of your health for you.

It is egoistical to deplete yourself of energy helping others and not being able to take care of your children.
When you take care of your needs, you free others to take care of theirs.

When you take care of your needs, you have a surplus of resources to authentically help people you care about and you do it without sacrificing yourself or your family, and without demanding the pay-off.

When you take care of your needs, you are not escaping facing your own challenges.
Taking care of others is a marathon, and not a sprint. You need energy to help others and the only way to maintain balance of your life energy is to take care of your needs first.

“An egoist is one who takes care of her needs instead of taking care of mine.” – N.D. Linde