169 Quotes About Self-deception

I had deceived myself. I will not deceive myself again. I have worn many masks and will wear them no more.

It is necessary to write, that much is clear, and to write in a way quite unlike any way which I have employed before.

Thus, you see, he arrived at the same end, via supposed duty, that he was previously pledged to via interest. I fancy a good number of us, when any line of action will promote our own interest, can make ourselves believe that reasons exist which compel us to it as a duty.

You only reveal your game plan when you know you're winning, or losing.

Ample figure, dazzling splendour to rest under the bed of soil; blooming dreams and withering numb; pangs of hunger, hitches of joy; dreadful pain, loudest laughter, piteous silence that echoes deep – were they all mere delusion? Yet, I wonder if they were real at least until I close these eyes! O dear! Did your own self deceive you?

Well, I know a guy, he's from far far awayHe's a songwriter, he got something to sayHe says, "People in this city are too busy to hang outThis town's so spread out, no one would hear you if you shout"Everyone's got a script to sell and someplace else they want to beThere's always a lock that would open if you could just find the key"(It Ain't Easy Being Green)

Only two possible reactions to the mimetic contagion exist, and they make an enormous difference. Either we surrender and join the persecuting crowd, or we resist and stand alone. The first way is the unanimous self-deception we call mythology.

People hide truths about themselves from themselves. Such self-deception is a coping mechanism, and to one extent or another, most people begin deceiving themselves when they're children.

The person who distrusts himself has no touchstone for reality - for this touchstone can be only oneself. Such a person interpose between himself and reality nothing less than a labyrinth of attitudes. And these attitudes, furthermore, though the person is usually unaware of it (is unaware of so much), are historical and public attitudes.