We would rather speak badly of ourselves than not talk about ourselves at all.

Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of stupidity.

It was his [Gen. Douglas MacArthur's] relationship with the administration In Washington which became poisoned by his egomania. Link upon link the bond between events on the battlefield and his own ruin was forged, and, as is essential in genuine tragedy, the gods used the victim himself to forge the links.

Glory consists of two parts: the one in setting too great a value upon ourselves, and the other in setting too little a value upon others.

It astounds us to come upon other egoists, as though we alone had the right to be selfish, and be filled with eagerness to live.

Norman Mailer records in his recent essays and public appearances his perfecting of himself as a virile instrument of letters; he is perpetually in training, getting ready to launch himself from his own missile pad into a high, beautiful orbit; even his failures may yet be turned to successes.