Selfish and greedy are often used interchangeably, but there's a key difference. Being selfish means prioritizing your own needs and desires above others', sometimes without considering their feelings. Greed, on the other hand, is an intense desire for more—more money, more possessions, more power—often to an excessive degree. A selfish person might refuse to share their toys; a greedy person might hoard all the toys, even if others need them.

Here are some examples:

• Selfish: "He selfishly ate all the pizza without offering any to his friends." (He only thought about himself and didn't care that his friends didn't get any pizza.)
• Greedy: "Her greedy desire for wealth led her to make unethical choices." (Her intense and excessive want for wealth caused her to do wrong.)

Notice that selfishness focuses on actions related to self-interest, whereas greed focuses on an insatiable appetite for something. You can be selfish in small ways, like not sharing a snack, but greed often implies a larger-scale desire for more than one needs or deserves.

• Selfish: "She selfishly took the last cookie without asking." (Translation: She took the last cookie without considering whether others might want it.)
• Greedy: "Driven by greed, he tried to steal the entire company." (Translation: His excessive desire for more wealth motivated him to commit a serious crime.)

While both traits are undesirable, understanding the nuances between them allows for more precise communication. A selfish act might be unintentional or a minor lapse in consideration, whereas greed often suggests a more ingrained character flaw.

Happy learning!