He who does not think much of himself is much more esteemed than he imagines.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
An inflated consciousness is always egocentric and conscious of nothing but its own existence. It is incapable of learning from the past, incapable of understanding contemporary events, and incapable of drawing right conclusions about the future. It is hypnotized by itself and therefore cannot be argued with. It inevitably dooms itself to calamities that must strike it dead.
—Carl Gustav Jung (1875–1961) Swiss Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Philosopher
The more anyone speaks of himself, the less he likes to hear another talked of.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
We often boast that we are never bored; but we are so conceited that we do not perceive how often we bore others.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
The egoism which enters into our theories does not affect their sincerity; rather, the more our egoism is satisfied, the more robust is our belief.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
Sensitiveness is closely allied to egotism. Indeed, excessive sensitiveness is only another name for morbid self-consciousness. The cure for it is to make more of our objects, and less of ourselves.
—Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American Writer, Aphorist
The nice thing about egotists is that they don’t talk about other people.
—Lucille S. Harper American Freelance Writer
The reason why lovers are never weary of one another is this—they are ever talking of themselves.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
The pest of society are the egotist, they are dull and bright, sacred and profane, course and fine. It is a disease that like the flu falls on all constitutions.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
We would rather speak ill of ourselves than not talk about ourselves at all.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Egotism is the source and summary of all faults and miseries.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
Egotist. A person of low taste, more interested in himself than me.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
Egotism is more like an offence than a crime, though ’tis allowable to speak of yourself provided nothing is advanced in your own favor; but I cannot help suspecting that those who abuse themselves are, in reality, angling for approbation.
—Johann Georg Ritter von Zimmermann (1728–95) Swiss Philosophical Writer, Naturalist, Physician
Don’t talk about yourself; it will be done when you leave.
—Wilson Mizner (1876–1933) American Dramatist
There is nothing more natural than to consider everything as starting from oneself, chosen as the center of the world; one finds oneself thus capable of condemning the world without even wanting to hear its deceitful chatter.
—Guy Debord (1931–94) French Philosopher
When a man is wrapped up in himself he makes a pretty small package.
—John Ruskin (1819–1900) English Writer, Art Critic
I should not talk so much about myself if there were anybody else whom I knew as well.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
It is never permissible to say “I say.”
—Suzanne Curchod (1739–94) French-Swiss Salonist, Writer
It is a false principle, that because we are entirely occupied with ourselves, we must equally occupy the thoughts of others.—The contrary inference is the fair one.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Egotism is the art of seeing in yourself what others cannot see.
—George V. Higgins (1939–99) American Crime Novelist
I shall never apologize to you for egotism.—I think very few men in writing to their friends have enough of it.
—Sydney Smith (1771–1845) English Clergyman, Essayist, Wit
If being an egomaniac means I believe in what I do and in my art or my music, then in that respect you can call me that I believe in what I do, and I’ll say it.
—John Lennon (1940–80) British Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Activist
We reproach people for talking about themselves, but it is the subject they treat best.
—Anatole France (1844–1924) French Novelist
One must learn to love oneself with a wholesome and healthy love, so that one can bear to be with oneself and need not roam.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
Egotism is usually subversive of sagacity.
—Marianne Moore (1887–1972) American Poet
Mastery passes often for egotism.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
An egotist will always speak of himself, either in praise or censure; but a modest man ever shuns making himself the subject of his conversation.
—Jean de La Bruyere (1645–96) French Satiric Moralist, Author
Do you wish men to speak well of you? Then never speak well of yourself.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
A truly worthy man should avoid naming himself; Christian piety annihilates the worldly me; worldly civility hides and suppresses it.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
If someone is blessed as I am is not willing to clean out the barn, who will?
—Ross Perot (1930–2019) American Businessman
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