If you’re dealing with a narcissist, you’re not alone.
Narcissism has been discussed by experts and writers for ages.
Narcissists often act like they’re better than everyone else and crave endless attention.
They struggle to accept criticism and may make you feel like you’re at fault.
This behavior can be confusing and hurtful, especially when it comes from someone close, like family or friends.
Here are the 15 Quotes About Narcissism You Need to Know.
1. The Best Way to Upset a Narcissist is by Ignoring Him. ~ J.B. Snow.

When you ignore a narcissist, it frustrates them because they crave attention.
They want everyone to notice and admire them, so when you act like they don’t matter, it’s like a blow to their ego.
Ignoring them takes away their “power” over you, making them feel small and unimportant.
This is why ignoring a narcissist can be the best way to protect yourself from their need for control.
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2. Narcissism is the Art of Looking in the Mirror and Seeing Leonardo da Vinci. ~ Robert Brault.

A narcissist might look in the mirror and see someone as talented and famous as Leonardo da Vinci, even if they’re just average.
They overestimate their talents and believe they’re amazing, even when others might see things differently.
This doesn’t mean they actually are that great, but their imagination makes them feel like a star, even if the rest of the world doesn’t agree.
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3. Narcissism is Not About Self Love. It’s a Clinical Trait That Belies a Deep Sense of Emptiness, Low Self-Esteem, Emotional Detachment, Self-Loathing, Extreme Problems with Intimacy. ~ Drew Pinsky.
Narcissists don’t actually love themselves as much as people think.
They may act like they are amazing, but deep down, they often feel empty and alone.
They struggle with self-worth and connecting with others.
They put up a mask of being perfect to hide how sad and insecure they feel inside.
It’s like building a wall to keep people from seeing their real, vulnerable self.
4. Narcissists Often Appear to Be Very Confident, but a Key Feature of Narcissism is Low Self-Esteem. Narcissists Display Arrogance and Exaggerate Their Achievements to Hide This Low Self-Esteem. ~ Emily Guarnotta, PsyD.
Narcissists can seem really sure of themselves, but it’s usually just an act. Inside, they feel unsure and lack confidence.
To cover this, they brag and exaggerate about how great they are, hoping others will believe it and give them the praise they crave.
Their “confidence” is like a costume; it hides how they really feel about themselves, which is often the opposite.
5. A Narcissist’s Criticism is Their Autobiography. ~ M. Wakefield.
When a narcissist criticizes someone, it usually says more about them than the person they’re talking about.
They project their own flaws and insecurities onto others to make themselves feel better.
So, if they call someone “lazy” or “selfish,” they’re often describing their own hidden traits.
By understanding this, you realize that their negative comments are just reflections of how they truly feel inside.
6. Narcissism and Self-Deception are Survival Mechanisms Without Which Many of Us Might Just Jump Off a Bridge. ~ Todd Solondz.
Sometimes, people convince themselves they’re amazing or perfect as a way to feel better. This is called self-deception.
For some narcissists, thinking highly of themselves keeps them going, even if it’s not entirely true.
Without this belief, they might feel so down they wouldn’t be able to handle life’s challenges.
It’s like wearing “rose-colored glasses” that let them see themselves in a positive way, even if it’s exaggerated.
7. Underneath the So-Called Narcissistic Personality is Definitely Shame and the Paralyzing Fear of Being Ordinary. ~ Brené Brown.
Narcissists often fear they are “just like everyone else” and not special.
This fear can make them act overly proud or self-centered.
Deep down, they feel shame for being ordinary, so they try hard to prove they’re different.
It’s like they’re scared of blending in and not being noticed.
They may show off or try to look impressive to hide this fear and pretend they are unique.
8. Hate is the Complement of Fear and Narcissists Like Being Feared. It Imbues Them with an Intoxicating Sensation of Omnipotence. ~ Sam Vaknin.
Narcissists enjoy feeling powerful and sometimes they think that being feared makes them important.
When others feel afraid of them, it boosts their ego, making them feel almost invincible.
This feeling of being “untouchable” gives them a sense of power they crave.
To them, fear from others is like a compliment, showing that they’re strong or in control—even if it’s for the wrong reasons.
9. No One Has Probably Helped Me More with My Narcissism Than My Dog. ~ Tucker Max.
A pet, like a dog, doesn’t care about someone’s ego or flaws; they love their owner unconditionally.
For a narcissist, having a pet can be a gentle reminder that love isn’t about admiration or control.
A dog shows kindness and loyalty without expecting perfection.
This simple connection helps a narcissist see a different kind of love, one that doesn’t need bragging or show and that can be healing.
10. Boundaries Are a Part of Self-Care. They Are Healthy, Normal and Necessary. ~ Doreen Virtue.
Boundaries mean setting limits with people to protect yourself.
For example, you might say “no” to someone’s demands if they’re too much.
Boundaries help you stay strong and healthy by keeping out negativity.
They show others what you will and won’t accept.
Setting boundaries is a kind of self-respect, reminding people, especially narcissists, that you have a right to your space, feelings and time.
11. There’s a Thin Line Between Narcissism, Even if It’s a Healthy Narcissism and Entertainment. ~ Richard Lewis.
Sometimes, being a bit self-centered can be fun or even charming, like when someone entertains others by being confident or showing off.
But when this goes too far, it becomes true narcissism, which isn’t as fun or harmless.
It’s important to know the difference—having a little confidence is fine, but when it’s all about you all the time, it stops being enjoyable for others.
12. You Will Never Really See How Toxic Someone Is Until You Breathe Fresher Air. ~ Unknown.
When you’re around toxic people, like narcissists, you might not realize how much they affect you until you step away.
It’s like being in a smoky room—only when you leave do you notice how much better fresh air feels.
Once you take a break, you can clearly see how their negative behavior was hurting you.
Distance gives you a chance to understand and escape their toxic influence.
13. Narcissism is a Shallow Pool That Can Never Quench the Thirst for Genuine Self-Worth. ~ Unknown.
Narcissists act confident, but it’s only on the surface.
Their “self-worth” is shallow, like a tiny pool. It can’t fill the real need for feeling valued and loved.
True self-worth goes deep and comes from kindness, honesty and caring about others.
But narcissism only scratches the surface, leaving them always “thirsty” for more admiration without ever feeling truly fulfilled.
14. How Starved You Must Have Been That My Heart Became a Meal for Your Ego. ~ Amanda Torroni.
This quote shows how narcissists sometimes “feed” off others’ love and kindness without giving anything back.
They take all the care and attention someone offers just to boost their own ego.
When someone loves a narcissist, they often feel drained because the narcissist takes so much without giving in return.
It’s like they’re using another person’s heart to feel better about themselves, leaving the other person empty.
15. Healing Takes Time and Asking for Help is a Courageous Step. ~ Mariska Hargitay.
When you’ve been hurt by a narcissist or any toxic person, recovery isn’t fast.
It’s okay to need help and it takes strength to ask for it.
Just like it’s brave to seek a doctor when you’re sick, getting help with emotions is important too.
Healing is a journey and asking for support is a sign of courage, showing you care about your own well-being.
I hope these quotes give you insight about narcissism.