We are lenient with others because we expect them to be lenient with us in return.
We are forgiving mainly because we want to be forgiven.
We care because we either expect others to care about us in return, or because we want to feel the self-gratification notion of being good.
The term "selfish" is falsely regarded as an insult 90% of the time, simply because we can't interpret the fact that every action we do and every word we say is basically out of self-interest.
We always want something in return for everything that is masqueraded in the socially defined term "selfless".
Being "selfless" is nothing more than being selfish but simply wanting something that isn't conveniently categorized under the averagely regarded array of "selfish desires".
An example of such "selfless rewards" would be God's blessings and gifts, self-gratification, the greater good, justice, self-seen balance..etc.
Don't feel offended by the term "selfish", and don't fear that the outcome of your decisions will add up to the word "selfish".
Like it or not, we are made to be selfish...We only ignore the fact that we redefined selfishness to suit our societal criteria.
We are the children of the need, the want, and the endless potential.
Do you really think that the philosophical concept of selflessness exists in the tangible world?
Selflessness is just profound selfishness.