It’s not a matter of just taking care of ourselves and leaving the rest of the world behind. We look after ourselves by helping the world; we help the world by looking after ourselves.

"So look around. Look for the opportunities. After all, if people can be opportunistic about wanting to do evil, why can’t we be opportunistic about wanting to do good, to create goodness in ourselves and leave some goodness around the world around us?

That’s one of the paradoxes of the practice. There was a reflection in Ven. Ratthapala’s teachings to the king. “The things you have, the wealth you have now, is it really yours?” This was what was meant by the Dhamma summary that the world has nothing of its own.

The king said, “Well, I have lots of wealth of my own,” and Ratthapala responded, “But can you take it with you when you go?” Well, no. But with goodness, you take it with you by leaving some goodness behind — in your relationship with other people and the way you deal with your mind. The inner and the outer goodness are connected. Any goodness you leave behind by being unburdensome, by being content, also goes with you as a strength in the mind.

So it’s not a matter of just taking care of ourselves and leaving the rest of the world behind. We look after ourselves by helping the world; we help the world by looking after ourselves. Right now, you may be forced into having to develop some virtues that are hard. But they’re still virtues, and they’re good to have mastered. Learn to see this as an opportunity. That way you can make the most of it."

~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "Dharma Opportunism"

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