What, if anything, is the difference between being 'shrewd' and 'self-interested'?

Question

isn't 'shrewdness' merely a euphemism for 'self interest'?

Answer 1

A shrewd person may not necessarily be self-interested, but a self-interested person looks up his own interest and becomes too immersed in it.

Answer 2

I think the two are closely connected....perhaps second cousins. Most people who are shrewd are not interested in the neighbor's welfare, but are very foxy and clever in gaining advantages for themselves.

To be shrewd, one must outwit the other fellow, head him off at the pass, so to speak, and gain one's goal by using whatever means necessary to attain it. Human nature being what it is, most people won't put in this kind of effort to enrich others. Usually, the use of shrewdness promotes one's own interests in one way or another, whether it concerns money, humanitarian interests, political power or any endeavor.

Answer 3

Being shrewd and being self-interested are two completely different things. Shrewdness is being clever, having a keen mind that accurately assessed situations. It's not necessariy for your own advantage. Self-interested means you're only interested in yourself and advancement of your own interests. Shrewd has to do with one's mental abilities. Self-interested has to do with someone's motivations. HTH!

Answer 4

ok Shrewd is when you get somebody to do your homework for you like Tom Sawyer and the famous Whitewashed fence episode. Self-interest is the motiivation for this. especially when the dupes were convinced it was alll their idea and never thought ill of Tom after it was painted. So Tom never even lost a friend.

Answer 5

Not in my opinion. One who is self-interested may simply be worried about his/her future, and trying to get ahead in life--not necessarily by harming anyone else.

Someone who is shrewd, is likely to be a con-artist, sneak, cheat, etc.

Answer 6

Shrewed is a term for someone that can get what is needed for a way better price, like a business man that made a deal with somebody for 1/2 the price instead of paying full price. Shrewed is someone that tells YOU what they are going to pay you for something. Self-interested is just what is says, someone with their own interests instead of our interests. Someone selfish.

Answer 7

shrewd equates to the use of the intellect.
self interest equates to what i want.
according to the dictionary of 2bz.