"The principle of self-interest rightly understood [Tocqueville wrote] is not a lofty one, but it is clear and sure. It does not aim at mighty objects, but it attains without excessive exertion all those at which it aims. By its admirable conformity to human weaknesses it easily obtains great dominion...By itself it cannot suffice to make a man virtuous; but it disciplines a number of persons in habits of regularity, temperance, moderation, foresight, self-command...If the principle of interest rightly understood were to sway the whole moral world, extraordinary virtues would doubtless be more rare; but I think that gross depravity would then be less common...[It] perhaps prevents men from rising far above the level of mankind, but great number of other men, who were falling far below it, are caught and restrained by it. Observe some few individuals, they are lowered by it; survey mankind, they are raised. I am not afraid to say that the principle of self-interest rightly understood appears to me the best suited of all philosophic theories to the wants of the men of our time."

This was the philosophy of the second-best, at its best - "the best suited of all philosophical theories to the wants of men of our time" - and, perhaps, of all time.