Lessons from life of bees

Oxford University Press published the first volume of The Economic Journal on behalf of Royal Economic Society (British Economic Association) in March, 1891. The society was founded in 1890 ‘to promote the study of economic science.’ In the beginning, the British Economic Association, it became the Royal Economic Society after receiving its Royal Charter in 1902. Economic History journal launched in 1926 but was published as a supplement of The Economic Journal. Economic History was established by J.M. Keynes in reaction to the formation of the Economic History Society in 1926 and the launch of the Economic History Review. The rivalry between Economic History and Economic History Review continued till 1940. Economic History was discontinued due to paper shortages during the World War II.

In a poem titled Georgics, Book IV on the subject of agriculture, Latin poet Virgil says, amor urget habendi" which is translated as "An inborn love of possession impels the bees". The Fable of the Bees or Private Vices, Publick Benefits by Bernard Mandeville, a 18th Century satirist used Virgil's poem to make the profound economic point that “private vices” (or self-interest) lead to “publick benefits.” 

Without realizing the sarcasm of Mandeville, Royal Economic Society has used "bees" in its logo to imply that the logo "alludes to how the pursuit of self-interest can be beneficial to society." Are "bees" selfish or are they altruist in  their pursuit? Is Royal Economic Society correct in its reading of the behavior of bees? Is the translation of Virgil's poem correct? 

The relevant excerpt from the poem reads: 

Oft, too, while wandering, against jagged stones
Their wings they fray, and 'neath the burden yield
Their liberal lives: so deep their love of flowers,
So glorious deem they honey's proud acquist.

What lessons can be drawn from the history of bees? Both in ancient Latin and Sanskrit literature animal allegories are employed to drive home a message to the human society. Aren't the bees playing multiple roles in their small life span? Isn't their essential role focused on the flower and the honey? Virgil's central message seems to be about consciousness of beauty which is the essence of beauty.