Dealing with a narcissist can be tough. It can leave you feeling confused and hurt. That’s why we’ve gathered these narcissism quotes.
These narcissist quotes come from people who’ve been there. They understand the pain of narcissistic behavior. From narcissistic parents to romantic partners, these quotes cover it all.
Narcissists, who may have personality disorders, often show a lack of empathy. They may use psychological abuse or coercive control. This can really hurt your self-esteem. In today’s world of social media, narcissistic behavior can be even more pronounced.
But knowledge is power. Understanding narcissism can help you set healthy boundaries with a narcissistic parent or romantic partner. It can also help you spot the warning signs early on in the outside world.
These quotes touch on many aspects of narcissism and so-called narcissistic personality. They talk about the constant need for attention and the shame-based fear that often drives narcissists. Some quotes focus on healing and self-love, reminding us that there are still nice people out there.
Remember, you’re not alone in this struggle. Many people have faced similar challenges with narcissists. We hope these quotes give you strength and insight. They might just help you see people’s true colors and protect yourself from narcissistic behavior, whether it’s from a family member, a romantic partner, or someone in your social circle.
163 Narcissism Quotes
- “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
- “When a toxic person can no longer control you, they will try to control how others see you. The misinformation will feel unfair, but you stay above it, trusting that other people will eventually see the truth just like you did.” – Jill Blakeway
- “Love doesn’t die a natural death. Love has to be killed, either by neglect or narcissism.” – Frank Salvato
- “Narcissists will destroy your life, erode your self-esteem, and do it with such stealth as to make you feel that you are the one that’s letting them down.” – anonymous
- “There is nothing to be gained from attempting to empathize with someone who is neurologically incapable of returning the favor.” – anonymous
- “Relationships with narcissists are held in place by the hope of a ‘someday better,’ with little evidence to support it will ever arrive.” – Dr. Ramani Durvasula
- “You will never really see how toxic someone is until you breathe fresher air.” – anonymous
- “Relationships are about trust. If you have to play detective, then it’s time to move on.” – anonymous
- “Strength is removing your kids from a toxic environment; not learning to live with it for the sake of the kids.” – anonymous
- “If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it’s a duck. But if it walks like a duck and talks like a swan, it’s a narcissist.” – anonymous
- “Nobody can be kinder than the narcissist while you react to life on his terms.” – Elizabeth Bowen
- “Narcissists try to destroy your life with lies because they know theirs can be destroyed with the truth.” – anonymous
- “I didn’t leave because I stopped loving you. I left because the longer I stayed, the less I loved myself.” – anonymous
- “Some relationships are like broken glass. It’s better to leave them alone than hurt yourself trying to put them back together.” – anonymous
- “Trying to reason with a narcissist is like trying to nail Jello to a tree.” – anonymous
- “It’s so nice when toxic people stop talking to you. It’s like the trash took itself out.” – Karen Salmansohn
- “Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.” – anonymous
- “A narcissist wants the authority of a king while having the accountability of a toddler.” – anonymous
- “You don’t attract narcissists because something is wrong with you. You attract narcissists because so much is right with you.” – anonymous
- “Narcissists rewrite history to escape accountability.” – anonymous
- “A narcissist doesn’t break your heart; they break your spirit. That’s why it takes so long to heal.” – anonymous
- “As soon as they find out you’re not stupid, bam, you’re crazy.” – anonymous
- “The moment that you start to wonder if you deserve better, you do.” – anonymous
- “Just because someone desires you, does not mean that they value you.” – anonymous
- Narcissistic abuse is a soul-crushing form of emotional abuse inflicted upon victims by narcissists. It is the most insidious form of abuse because it is a slow and gradual erosion of your sense of self, your confidence, and your mental and emotional health.” – anonymous
- “When people say, ‘you’ve changed,’ there’s a 95% chance that you just stopped acting the way they wanted you to.” – anonymous
- “Hypocrissist: A narcissist whose head is so far up their butt they can’t hear the hypocrisy coming out of their mouth.” – Joel McDonald
- “The narcissist doesn’t want your love, they don’t know what love is. They want your admiration and obedience as a player in their fake make-believe world.” – anonymous
- “A healthy relationship will never require you to sacrifice your friends, your dream, or your dignity.” – anonymous
- “When it hurts to move on, just remember the pain you felt hanging on.” – anonymous
- “But I love you’ is not a free pass for cheating and abuse.” – Emma Xu
- “The narcissist is like a bucket with a hole in the bottom: No matter how much you put in, you can never fill it up. The phrase ‘I never feel like I am enough’ is the mantra of the person in a narcissistic relationship. That’s because to your narcissistic partner, you are not. No one is. Nothing is.” – Dr. Ramani Durvasula
- “Narcissistic people don’t want unconditional love. They want unconditional tolerance.” – anonymous
- “A Narcissist is someone who sticks their head up their own ass, then blames you for the smell.” – Steve Maraboli
- “When narcissists ask ‘how do you feel’, they are actually saying, ‘I am not feeling good, and now listen to me.'” – Emma Xu
- “Beware. Some people will sell you a dream and deliver a nightmare.” – anonymous
- “You’ll never win the fight with someone who only lives in his reality.” – anonymous
- “The enemy doesn’t stand a chance when the victim decides to survive.” – Rae Smith
- “A narcissist will manipulate everyone around you to betray you. This is not a reflection of who you are but more of a reflection of the narcissist powers of manipulation and the integrity of other people.” – anonymous
- “Run from people who say, ‘you are so lucky to be with me.’ If you really are, he won’t need to remind you.” – Emma Xu
- “The only way to win with a toxic person is not to play.” – anonymous
- “I discovered that the monster wasn’t under the bed…the monster was sleeping next to me.” – anonymous
- “How starved you must have been that my heart became a meal for your ego.” – Amanda Torroni
- “Don’t set yourself on fire to keep someone else warm.” – anonymous
- “Sometimes you have to make a decision that will hurt your heart but heal your soul.” – anonymous
- “You can’t talk butterfly language with caterpillar people.” – anonymous
- “It’s okay. You just forgot who you were. Welcome back.” – anonymous
- “Those who cannot accept no as an answer have serious issues that cannot be remedied by your compliance. When people cannot accept ‘no’ as the answer, you are not the problem, they are.” – Randi Fine
- “Oh. You’re dating my ex? Cool. I’m eating a sandwich…want those leftovers too?” – anonymous
- “I’ve found the key to happiness. Stay the hell away from assholes.” – anonymous
- “Nobody falls in love faster than a narcissist who needs a place to live.” – anonymous
- “If you don’t heal what hurt you, you will bleed all over those who didn’t cut you.” – anonymous
- “Narcissists don’t change because they don’t want to change. They want to keep on using and abusing because it gets them the attention they so desperately crave.” – Anne McCrea
- “Narcissistic abuse is not just about the abuser’s actions, it’s about the impact those actions have on the victim’s sense of self.” – Lindsay Dodgson
- “There is a land called ‘Douchebag-astan’ and you are the king.” – anonymous
- “The process of healing from narcissistic abuse can be painful, but it’s important to trust the journey. It can lead to a deeper understanding of yourself and a greater sense of self-worth.” – Andrea Schneider
- “There’s a fair number of good days, good moments, and the more of those there are, no matter how bad the bad moments are…that makes it really, really hard to leave.” – Dr. Ramani Durvasula
- “No one can throw a bigger tantrum than a narcissist who’s losing control of someone’s mind.” – anonymous
- “Pay attention when people react with anger and hostility to your boundaries. You have found the edge where their respect for you ends.” – anonymous
- “It is sad when one has to paint a dark picture of another in order to paint a perfect picture of themselves.” – anonymous
- “Should you ever find yourself the victim of other people’s bitterness, smallness, or insecurities, remember, things could be worse. You could be them.” – anonymous
- “A narcissist is someone who demands you give up everything in order to be their nothing.” – anonymous
- “Actions prove who someone is. Words just prove who they pretend to be.” – anonymous
- “What you allow is what will continue.” – anonymous
- “Some people would push you off a ledge just to catch you and say they saved your life.” – anonymous
- “Some relationships are like junk food; look appealing and fun for a moment but end up making you feel weighed down and sick. Choose health.” – Shannon Thomas
- “Relationships with narcissists only last for as long as you are willing to put yourself last.” – anonymous
- “Those who say it costs nothing to be kind haven’t met a narcissist.” – anonymous
- “I would rather adjust my life to your absence than adjust my boundaries to accommodate your disrespect.” – anonymous
- “I used to think I was overreacting. Now I realize it was just a normal reaction to an abnormal amount of bullshit.” – anonymous
- “In a toxic family system, the black sheep is often just the person who sees through everyone else’s bullshit.” – anonymous
- “Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty, and the pig likes it.” – anonymous
- “Pay attention to the ‘buts’ following an apology. That’s what they really want to say.” – Emma Xu
- “Be careful who you trust. Sugar and salt look the same.” – anonymous
- “Dating a narcissist is sort of like walking around with food in your teeth. Your friends notice it way before you do.”
- “Pay attention to the people who don’t clap when you win.” – anonymous
- “The devil doesn’t come to you with a red face and horns. He comes to you disguised as everything you’ve ever wanted.” – anonymous
- Have you ever noticed how your narcissistic mother knows exactly how to push all your buttons? That’s because she installed them.” – anonymous
- “The trust of the innocent is the liar’s most useful tool.” – Stephen King
- “If you saw the size of the blessing coming, you would understand the magnitude of the battle you are fighting.” – anonymous
- “Revenge” sounds so mean. That’s why I prefer to call it “returning the favor.” – anonymous
- “I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.” – Maya Angelou
- “If I pulled a you on you, you wouldn’t like that shit.” – gnash – i hate u, i love u
- “I don’t exactly hate you but if you were on fire and I had water, I’d drink it.”
- “Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.” – Mark Twain
- “This too shall pass. It might pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass.” – anonymous
- “Don’t let negative and toxic people rent space in your head. Raise the rent and kick them out.” – anonymous
- “Sometimes you just have to give a little smile, throw the match, and burn that bridge.” – anonymous
- “If the words don’t add up, it’s usually because the truth wasn’t included in the equation.” – anonymous
- “Good givers can attract really good takers.” – Dr. Margaret
- “People will love you. People will hate you. And none of it will have anything to do with you.” – Abraham Hicks
- “To not have your suffering recognized is an almost unbearable form of violence.” – Andrei Lankov
- “Relationships are worth fighting for, but you can’t be the only one fighting.” – anonymous
- “Beware of the heartless who make your heartbeat quickly. They’re just using your heart because theirs won’t start.” – anonymous
- “Back to your bridge you evil troll. You have no powers here.” – anonymous
- “Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping it will transform into a door.” – Coco Chanel
- “How beautiful it is to stay silent when someone expects you to be enraged.” – anonymous
- “My mother doesn’t just enjoy guilt trips. She runs the travel agency.” – anonymous
- “You can only let someone throw so many stones at you before you pick them all up, put them together, and build a wall to keep them from doing it again.” – anonymous
- “If you’re in a relationship and all you do is cry, you need to stop and ask yourself, are you dating a human or an onion?” – anonymous
- “Don’t ask why someone keeps hurting you. Ask yourself why you are allowing them.” – anonymous
- “Remember—as far as anyone knows we are a nice normal family.” – anonymous
- “They can’t kill your dreams, so they assassinate your character.” – anonymous
- “People who shine from within don’t need a spotlight.” – anonymous
- “Exposing your dark side doesn’t frighten me. Hiding it does.” – anonymous
- “Make sure everybody in your ‘boat’ is rowing and not drilling holes when you’re not looking.” – anonymous
- “I was wondering how you comb your hair, so your horns don’t show.” – anonymous
- “When you give narcissists your love, you hand them the rope to hang you with.” – Susan Shofer
- “Arguing with a narcissist is like getting arrested. Everything you do or say will be held against you.” – anonymous
- “When your ex says, ‘You’ll never find anyone like me,’ Just smile and reply ‘That’s the point.'” – anonymous
- “Sometimes in life you have to give yourself what you wish you could get from somebody else.” – Dr. Phil McGraw
- “You have to speak to be heard, but sometimes you have to be silent to be appreciated.” – anonymous
- “We can deeply love our poison. We can love the taste of it, the scent of it, the comforting weight of it in our belly and find ourselves woken in the night with stabbing cramps, arms around porcelain toilet bowls, hurling every last bit until collapsing on bathroom tile, limp from dehydration.” – Maggie Young
- “Letting go means to come to the realization that some people are a part of your history, but not a part of your destiny.” – Steve Maraboli
- “You seem to be on your own path. Unfortunately, there is a ‘socio’ in front of it.” – anonymous
- “Nobody wants to be with somebody who’s been with everybody.” – anonymous
- “Some of the most poisonous people come disguised as family and friends.” – anonymous
- “You see a person’s true colors when you are no longer beneficial to their life.” – anonymous
- “They burned the bridge and then ask why I don’t visit.” – anonymous
- “One lie is enough to question all truths.” – anonymous
- “The worst thing about being lied to is knowing that you weren’t worth the truth.” – anonymous
- “Narcissistic personality disorder is named for Narcissus, from Greek mythology, who fell in love with his own reflection. Freud used the term to describe persons who were self-absorbed, and psychoanalysts have focused on the narcissist’s need to bolster his or her self-esteem through grandiose fantasy, exaggerated ambition, exhibitionism, and feelings of entitlement.” – Donald W. Black
- “Narcissus weeps to find that his image does not return his love.” – Mason Cooley
- “There is simply no winning with a narcissist. He will treat you so horribly that you will become withdrawn and depressed and then he will turn around and say, ‘You’re no fun anymore, you’re always so depressed. I need to be with someone more positive.'” – Susan Williams
- “Children of narcissists learn that love is abuse. The narcissist teaches them that if someone displeases you, it is okay to harm them and call it love.” – M. Wakefield
- “The greater the artist, the greater the doubt. Perfect confidence is granted to the less talented as a consolation prize.” – Robert Hughes
- “I think a lot of self-importance is a product of fear. And fear, living in sort of an un-self-examined fear-based life, tends to lead to narcissism and self-importance.” – Moby
- “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.” – Dr. Drew Pinsky
- “The silent killer of all great men and women of achievement – particularly men, I don’t know why, maybe it’s the testosterone – I think it’s narcissism. Even more than hubris.” – James Woods”
- A little narcissism is good. At least that’s what I am telling myself.” – Andy Dunn
- Having a child makes you realize the importance of life – narcissism goes out the window. Heaven on earth is looking at my little boy. The minute he was born, I knew if I never did anything other than being a mom, I’d be fine.” – Jenny McCarthy
- “The fact is, for years, I had been trapped in a certain narcissism and a desire to have a certain body and look sexy.” – David Harbour
- “Loving a narcissist is like trying to cuddle with a cactus: no matter how hard you try to make it work, you’ll always end up hurt.” – Shahida Arabih
- “Parents are destined to sin against their kids; it’s inevitable. As is narcissism and the human condition. Everyone has their ego and their ambitions. Life happens in between.” – Alice Ripley
- “In a relationship with a narcissist, there’s no discussion or compromises, only demands and expectations. Your needs and wants are inconsequential.” – Debbie Mirza
- “The narcissist’s partner is often left feeling like an emptied ATM: used, discarded, and wondering where all their emotional currency went.” – Dr. Ramani Durvasula
- “Selfishness, narcissism, being uncomfortable in your own skin, not feeling connected to the world around you, feeling dislocated from family and youth, having a strange relationship with your childhood – all those things feel really true to me.” – Jason Reitman
- “A relationship with a narcissist is like a drug addiction. You know it’s bad for you, but you can’t seem to let go until you hit rock bottom.” – Shannon Thomas
- “In narcissistic relationships, love is only a currency to be earned and withdrawn. It’s never freely given without strings attached.” – Shahida Arabi
- “I loathe narcissism, but I approve of vanity.” – Diana Vreeland
- “The partner of a narcissist often becomes a shadow of their former self, having sacrificed their identity to maintain the narcissist’s fragile ego.” – Julie L. Hall
- “Narcissists don’t have relationships; they take hostages. Your job is to fulfill their needs and bolster their fragile self-esteem.” – Jackson MacKenzie
- “It is especially painful when narcissists suffer memory loss because they are losing parts of the person they love most.” – David Brooks
- “Leave your pride, ego, and narcissism somewhere else. Reactions from those parts of you will reinforce your children’s most primitive fears.” – Henry Cloud
- “Regrets? I think everyone has regrets, and people who say they haven’t are either liars or narcissists.” – Lee Radiziwill
- “The very wealthy and the very famous have a much closer affinity with the indigent street person than with the rest of us. There’s the narcissism, the addiction, even the outlandish dress. Often they don’t put great value in relationships.” – Dr. Drew Pinsky
- “Self-love depressed becomes self-loathing.” – Sally Kempton
- “You give up your narcissism, your egotism. That’s how you achieve chemistry.” – Nick Nolte
- “Self-love seems so often unrequited.” – Anthony Powell
- “If people are really narcissistic or have a need to be seen as more than they really are, or to be admired as having it all together, then they cannot be followed and trusted by others.” – Henry Cloud
- “That probably greatest of narcissistic wounds – not to have been loved just as one truly was – cannot heal without the work of mourning.” – Alice Miller
- “The megalomaniac differs from the narcissist by the fact that he wishes to be powerful rather than charming, and seeks to be feared rather than loved. To this type belong many lunatics and most of the great men of history.” – Bertrand Russell
- “I like to be admired from afar, and then complimented up close.” – Gena Showalter
- “Ego is borne of the need to ‘prove’ oneself instead of making the choice to ‘be’ oneself.” – Craig D. Lounsbrough
- “The more you make this world about you, the more miserable you will be.” – Matt Chandler
- “I don’t care what you think unless it is about me.” – Kurt Cobain
- “The narcissist devours people, consumes their output, and casts the empty, writhing shells aside.” – Sam Vaknin
- “Whoever loves becomes humble. Those who love have, so to speak, pawned a part of their narcissism.” – Sigmund Freud
- “I have a very simple question to people who seem to suffer from excessive narcissism: Please name three other persons who are smarter and more capable than you, in the field you work in. In most cases they are utterly unable to answer that question honestly.” – Ingo Molnar
- “I’m a recovering narcissist. I thought narcissism was about self-love till someone told me there is a flip side to it. It is actually drearier than self-love; it is unrequited self-love.” – Emily Levine
- “Narcissists are emotional porcupines, watch out for the quills!” – Tracy Malone
- “There’s a reason narcissists don’t learn from mistakes and that’s because they never get past the first step which is admitting that they made one.” – Jeffrey Kluger
- “The worst lies were the lies I told myself about the lies others told me.” – Alice Little
Final Thoughts
Dealing with narcissistic behavior is never easy. It can leave deep scars and shake your self-esteem. But remember, you’re stronger than you think.
These quotes show that you’re not alone. Many people have faced similar struggles with narcissistic parents or romantic partners. They’ve learned to set healthy boundaries and rebuild their lives.
Understanding narcissism is a significant life lesson. It helps you spot the warning signs and avoid falling into the trap of coercive control. You learn to see through the narcissist’s criticism and constant need for attention.
The most important thing is to focus on self-love and healing. Don’t let someone else’s narcissistic orientation define you. You deserve respect and empathy.
Remember, it’s okay to walk away from toxic relationships. Sometimes, that’s the best way to protect yourself from psychological abuse. You don’t need to be a brick wall, but you can choose not to be an emotional punching bag.
Stay strong, keep learning, and never forget your worth. Healing is possible, and you’re on the right path.
Jeff Campbell is a father, martial artist, budget-master, Disney-addict, musician, and recovering foodie having spent over 2 decades as a leader for Whole Foods Market. Click Here to learn more about me. Click Here to learn more about my site. Editorial Policies.
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