These powerful quotes have been handpicked to help you understand the nature of narcissism, as well as offer solace and perspective to those who have experienced narcissistic abuse in their lives.
Each quote aims to provide a deeper understanding of the intricacies behind these behaviors, and capture the essence of narcissistic individuals in a manner that is both engaging and thought-provoking. So dive in, let these quotes enlighten you, and remember that you are not alone in navigating the tumultuous waters of narcissism and all that it entails.
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- Narcissists employ lies to ruin your life because they understand that their own existence can be shattered with the revelation of the truth.
2. Narcissists are masters of pathologizing your emotions. They convince you that your emotional reactions to the abuse are the problem, rather than the abuse itself. ~Shahida Arabi
3. ”The narcissist is not interested in your love since they lack comprehension of it. Instead, they yearn for your submission and adoration as a participant in their fabricated, imaginary realm.”
4. Narcissists persist in their harmful behavior since they are not willing to transform themselves. They prefer to continue exploiting and mistreating others as it satisfies their insatiable hunger for attention. ~Anne McCrea
5. “Since narcissists deep down feel themselves to be faultless, it is inevitable that when they are in conflict with the world they will invariably perceive the conflict as the world’s fault.”
— M. Scott Peck
6. “Nobody can be kinder than the narcissist while you react to life on his terms.”
— Elizabeth Bowen
7. “A man who loves others based solely on how they make him feel, or what they do for him, is really not loving others at all — but loving only himself.”
— Criss Jami
8. When a toxic person can no longer control you, they will try to control how others see you. The misinformation will feel unfair, but stay above it, trusting that other people will eventually see the truth just like you did.
– Jill Blakeway
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9. When someone treats you like crap, just remember it’s because there is something wrong with them, not you. Normal people don’t go around destroying other people’s lives.
Narcissist Hunters
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10. Narcissism is Voluntary blindness, an agreement not to look beneath the surface.
Sam Keen, author
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11. Because narcissistic parents are experts at making everything look good, the child of the narcissist may not know anything was wrong. A common response in therapy is I had a great childhood with caring parents. I should be happy.
Heather Sheafer, writer
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If you want to go from being adored to devalued in the blink of an eye, simply insult the narcissist.
Tigress Luv, blogger
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Parents are supposed to give the child back to herself with love. If they’ve got duct tape over their eyes because of narcissism, it doesn’t happen.
Jane Fonda, actor
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When narcissists behave in an exhibitionistic manner, they are seeking the same sort of admiration as toddlers, and for the same reasons. They want attention. Some examples include inappropriate dress, talking too loudly, or gesturing in expansive and space-intruding ways.
Mark Ettensohn, therapist
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Over and over again, I have learned how damaging, how unrelenting, the aftermath is from these pathological, quietly undermining relationships.
Sandra Brown, therapist
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You might as well bang your head into a brick wall if you expect the narcissist to be reasonable, empathetic or human in any way. If you sense or witness any of these traits, there is an ulterior motive. When the narcissist is being nice, it’s because they have something to gain.
Tina Swithin, writer
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I know now that one of the characteristics of evil is its desire to confuse.
M. Scott Peck, writer
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The greater the artist, the greater the doubt. Perfect confidence is granted to the less talented as a consolation prize.
Robert Hughes
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When I look at narcissism through the vulnerability lens, I see the shame-based fear of being ordinary. I see the fear of never feeling extraordinary enough to be noticed, to be lovable, to belong, or to cultivate a sense of purpose.
Brené Brown
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Stay away from lazy parasites, who perch on you just to satisfy their needs, they do not come to alleviate your burdens, hence, their mission is to distract, detract and extract, and make you live in abject poverty.
Michael Bassey Johnson
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Narcissistic love is riding on the rollercoaster of disaster filled with a heart full of tears.
Sheree Griffin
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A narcissist paints a picture of themselves as being the victim or innocent in all aspects. They will be offended by the truth. But what is done in the dark will come to light. Time has a way of showing people’s true colors.
Karla Grimes
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Relationship with a narcissist in a nutshell: You will go from being the perfect love of their life to nothing you do is ever good enough. You will give everything and they will take it all and give you less and less in return. You will end up depleted, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and probably financially, and then get blamed for it.
Bree Bonchay
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Realize that narcissists have an addiction disorder. They are strongly addicted to feeling significant. Like any addict, they will do whatever it takes to get this feeling often. That is why they are manipulative and future fakers. They promise change, but can’t deliver if it interferes with their addiction. That is why they secure back up supply.
Shannon L. Alder
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A man who loves others based solely on how they make him feel, or what they do for him, is really not loving others at all — but loving only himself.
Criss Jami
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Relationships with narcissists are held in place by the hope of a ‘someday better,’ with little evidence to support it will ever arrive
Ramani Durvasula
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Letting go of toxic people in your life is a big step in loving yourself.
Hussein Nishah
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You give up your narcissism, your egotism. That’s how you achieve chemistry
Nick Nolte
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Narcissism is the result of longstanding behavioral patterns that reflect fixed brain functioning. It requires a lot of motivation to change these patterns.
Drew Pinsky
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Narcissism is a strong word, but it is narcissistic to expect everybody in a culture to reflect your own image back at you.
Indya Moore
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A narcissist paints a picture of themselves as being the victim or innocent in all aspects. They will be offended by the truth. But what is done in the dark will come to light. Time has a way of showing people’s true colors.
Indya Moore
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20 quotes about narcissists
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Narcissists are like a spider weaving a web of lies to catch their prey.” – Unknown
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“A narcissist’s ego is like a balloon, always in need of inflation.” – Unknown
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“Narcissists see themselves as the sun, and everyone else as mere planets orbiting around them.” – Unknown
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“Dealing with a narcissist is like trying to nail jelly to a wall.” – Unknown
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“Narcissists are like mirages in the desert, promising something they can never deliver.” – Unknown
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“A narcissist’s love is like a currency they use to buy admiration and control.” – Unknown
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“In the world of a narcissist, there’s no room for anyone else’s feelings or needs.” – Unknown
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“Narcissists are masters of projection, always blaming others for their own flaws.” – Unknown
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“The only person a narcissist truly loves is themselves.” – Unknown
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“Narcissists don’t break your heart; they break your spirit.” – Unknown
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“A narcissist’s charm is like a mask that conceals their true intentions.” – Unknown
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“Narcissists are like emotional vampires, sucking the life out of those around them.” – Unknown
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“A narcissist’s apologies are as empty as their promises.” – Unknown
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“Narcissists are the architects of their own delusions.” – Unknown
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“Behind a narcissist’s confidence lies a fragile ego.” – Unknown
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“Narcissists are like a bottomless pit of neediness.” – Unknown
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“A narcissist’s love is conditional, based on what you can do for them.” – Unknown
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“Narcissists are experts at playing the victim when it suits their agenda.” – Unknown
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“Dealing with a narcissist is like trying to navigate a maze of mirrors.” – Unknown
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“Narcissists are like toxic tornadoes, leaving destruction in their wake.” – Unknown
These quotes capture various aspects of narcissistic behavior and the challenges of dealing with narcissistic individuals.
10 Famous Quotes on Narcissism
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“Narcissus does not fall in love with his reflection because it is beautiful, but because it is his. If it were his beauty that enthralled him, he would be set free in a few years by its fading.” – W. H. Auden
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“Narcissism falls along the axis of what psychologists call personality disorders, one of a group that includes antisocial, dependent, histrionic, avoidant and borderline personalities. But by most measures, narcissism is one of the worst, if only because the narcissists themselves are so clueless.” – Jeffrey Kluger
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“Narcissism is the enemy of sobriety.” – Charlie Sheen
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“Narcissism and self-deception are survival mechanisms without which many of us might just jump off a bridge.” – Todd Solondz
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“Narcissism is something that’s prevalent in our culture to a degree that I can’t even believe.” – Annette Bening
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“Narcissism is voluntary blindness, an agreement not to look beneath the surface.” – Sam Keen
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“Narcissism and self-deception are survival mechanisms without which many of us might just jump off a bridge.” – Todd Solondz
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“I think narcissists are endlessly watchable.” – Chuck Klosterman
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“The typical narcissistic attitude towards money is to spend it as fast as possible in order to maintain an empty self.” – Sunday Adelaja
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“The narcissist devours people, consumes their output, and casts the empty, writhing shells aside.” – Sam Vaknin
By now, we have seen how narcissism can lead to negative outcomes and painful relationships. All of the Narcissism quotes used in this post demonstrate that it is important to be aware of one’s own narcissistic tendencies so as not to hurt oneself or others. It is easy to get lost in a web of ego-centric thought and behaviors, but there are ways to recognize and combat these feelings. We hope that these quotes have inspired readers to be self-aware and build meaningful relationships with themselves and others through openness, kindness, understanding, and trust. Remember: “Be Content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the world belongs to you” (Lao Tzu)..