Narcissism quotes

I recently came across a very interesting and well-written article that attempts to explore the phenomenon of narcissism. From Marvel-style villains to micro-managers, politicians to movie stars, narcissists make memorable characters readers (and writers!) love to hate. Superficially, these people just have too high an opinion of themselves, sometimes bordering on ridiculous. But what's more interesting is what's below the surface:

You can read the whole article here http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolution-the-self/201404/9-enlightening-quotes-narcissists-and-why

 

I like this one, though it hits a little close to home:

"Shyness has a strange element of narcissism, a belief that how we look, how we perform, is truly important to other people."

André Dubus

 

My favourite is "No one has probably helped me more with my narcissism than my dog.” ~ Tucker Max

 

kim jong-un and his father etc spring to mind!

I remember a while ago i came across a quote (cant remember where) that essentially being shy, ashamed or embarrassed is a weird twist on narcissism, because we truly believe that other people care. Which is why i take pride walking down the street naked and think nothing of it. "Good morning sir, madam, just getting the paper. Cheerio"

EDIT: after butchering that quote, i found the original. However Stevesh beat me to it.

 

I love the stream of consciousness comment @Lae I think @stevesh might agree with you

 

Anyone who unequivocally uses the term "narcissist" negatively (with the same general kind of negativity that people typically use the term "psychopath"), reads that quotation, and understands it, is in for quite a paradigm shift.

 

This is the one that stands out to me. I think there's a very fine line between loving oneself enough to bolster self-esteem, and giving oneself an air of self-importance that tends to rub people up the wrong way. I have a tendency, when confronted by someone who appears to have hallmarks of a narcissistic personality, to want to protect them. Negative comments and hopes to prick at their conscience will only force them to seek the approval of their airbrushed mirror image more.

But then again... telling the difference between a narcissist and an outright dick can be tricky. I'm no professional so I generally try to err on the side of caution.

 

I haven't read the full article yet, because I'm hideously hungover, but what I've read so far has been fascinating. Thanks for sharing!

 

Otherwise known as a narce-hole?

 

@outsider Ba-dah-boom! *Sound of crash cymbal.*