Love and Selfishness
Acting selfishly is the normal state of behavior for a living being. The behavior should be expected, and is virtuous, for it represents our natural instinct of self-preservation. Without the self-preservation instincts of our ancestors, we would not be alive.
As higher level thinking beings, we often come to realize that by not always acting selfishly, and considering others, we sometimes receive unexpected reciprocation from others who choose to do the same. We may then come to realize that by voluntarily participating in a group of individuals that act in collective consideration of other members of the group, we can actually accomplish far more than we ever could by just acting selfishly on our own. This realization, and the act of not acting completely selfishly at every instance, is therefore just another form of selfishness on a more complex scale. This is also virtuous when participation is voluntary.
Trading, on the other hand, is the expectation of lack of reciprocation for giving non-selfishly. That is, we predetermine what should given, and what, specifically, is expected in return. Trade is also virtuous when it is agreed upon and voluntarily enacted by both parties.
Acting non-selfishly is only virtuous to the extent that we do not require reciprocation. For when we do, the act is no longer one of non-selfishness, but a trade. Enacting a trade without prior voluntary agreement is not virtuous and most often ends badly for all parties.
It could be said that love is the act of giving selflessly without an expectation of reciprocation. If that is true, then love may be the most virtuous act there is. I thank God for giving us the ability to love, and for instilling us with the instincts to seek opportunities to give love, and to receive it with the full appreciation that it deserves.