On the Rider-Waite cards, we see someone who looks bloated, with an unhealthy red flush on their face, with closed body-language standing between the observer and the cups as if he refuses to share. It seems like an image of greed and selfishness to me.
You are so harsh on this card
I don't think he looks bloated. Husky maybe? Like one of those big boned gents who hauls around beer barrels? As for unhealthy flush...no one in the deck has good coloring, and I don't think his is any better or worse than other figures. I'll grant you that his arms are crossed. That is "closed" but his smirk could be "Ha! I finally finished my collection! Take a look at all these beautiful cups." I think, in short, that he's gotten the one little thing to make him satisfied.
That said, you make an excellent point! I totally agree that the 9/Cups is a smug, satisfied and selfish card. Sometimes that's bad, as you point out, and getting what you wish means you're being greedy and thoughtless. Then again, it's not always good to deny yourself. There is that poem "Harlem" by Langston Hughes that is all about "a dream deferred" and what happens to people who are always wishing for something, yet always having to defer satisfying that wish for whatever reasons (including because they need to be selfless and feed their kids rather than buy something nice for themselves). It can be very destructive to the soul.
So, selfishness isn't always a bad thing. And giving ourselves "me" time, or even a special treat is often good for the soul. But, again, I will totally agree with you that too many people fail to consider whether what they are wishing for, and think they want, is (1) Good for others, and (2) all that good for them. You can wish for a huge house, servants, and to have all the toys and luxuries you want...but is that good for the environment? Is it good for those who might have to starve so you can have all that? Is it good for you to never have to work for things or do without? And you can wish for a person to be yours...but what if you aren't so good for them? I really do wish
that people who asked such questions of the tarot would take a little more time to consider if getting what they want really would be a good thing not just for them, but for others.