But egoism is more than this. It is the realization by the individual that he is above all institutions and all formulas that they exist only so far as he chooses to make them his own by accepting them.

There is never enough gold to redeem all the currency in circulation.

In precisely the same way money is often hired, and the hire paid for the use of it is called Interest.

It was the king's army, the king's people, the king's taxes and he who questioned the propriety of the royal prerogative of taking from his people without return or accounting, was reckoned, and felt himself to be, a criminal, guilty of the highest crime of disloyalty.

It is often said by reformers that government should be conducted upon business principles.

But the egoist has no ideals, for the knowledge that his ideals are only his ideals, frees him from their domination. He acts for his own interest, not for the interest of ideals.

Modern money is almost altogether credit money.

Paper currency has hitherto been regarded with suspicion, as insecure.

The egoist is fooled by no ideals: he discards them or uses them, as may suit his own interest.

However near and dear to you may be your wife, children, friends, they are not you they are outside of you.

According to your sympathy, you will take pleasure in your own happiness or in the happiness of other people but it is always your own happiness you seek.

Not an old woman that buys a paper of pins, without yielding a part of the price to the banks as interest!

In brief, egoism in its modern interpretation, is the antithesis, not of altruism, but of idealism.