Persian · noun · Selfhood & Will

Khudgharzi

ख़ुदग़र्ज़ी
said khud-ghar-ZEE
also written: khudgharzi, khud-gharzi, khudgharazi
Meaning

Selfishness, self-interest, concern only for oneself.

Literally: selfishness, acting only for one's own interest

How Iqbal uses it

Khudgharzi is selfishness — the narrow pursuit of one's own gain at others' expense. Iqbal is careful to distinguish it sharply from khudi: affirming the self is not the same as serving one's appetites, and he condemns mean self-interest as a corruption that shrinks the soul. The strong self, in his view, expresses itself in sacrifice and service, while selfishness is a sign of weakness masquerading as strength.