What do selflessness and thoughtfulness mean?

Answer 1

Selflessness is putting the needs of someone else over your own. A mother who starves herself so she can feed her children is putting their needs above hers. A man who volunteers for a dangerous but necessary job puts the needs of others over the risk to his own life.

Thoughtfulness is taking some thought for the needs or concerns for others. People can sometimes be unaware of what other people need or think. This can be because they are wrapped up in their own concerns. So, for example, you are at a party and are having a good time, and you notice an older person looking around the room. You guess that, although you don't feel tired, maybe that person does, and you should see if you can offer him or her a chair. Of course you ask first, because you can easily guess wrong about what is going on in someone else's mind. You can be thoughtful without there being any adverse consequences of note to yourself--it is the work of a second to find a chair for the person. In this way it is very different from acting selflessly, where you must make a considerable sacrifice for the benefit of others.

Answer 2

Selflessness refers to putting the needs and well-being of others before your own, often acting with generosity and compassion. Thoughtfulness involves considering the feelings and perspectives of others, showing care and consideration in one's actions and words.