The more a child is abused, the more the child uses his abilities to anticipate, manage, prevent, dismantle, and challenge the abusing ways of his parents.

By aggrandizing one's own abilities and achievements, the grandiose person remains out of touch with who they truly are and as such, remains prone to crossing the boundaries of others.

Grandiosity is when we are wrapped up in winning life's false contest. This happens only when we live to impress the abusive parents in our heads, not when we are soberly and philosophically working to advance civilization.

Without confidence we feel insecure. We replay the doubting voices of our parents on a loop in our own minds.

Admitting pain humbles us to the reality of our personal histories and our present conditions. We no longer have to pretend we are something that we are not.