169quotes

Quotes about self-deception

Self-deception is a fascinating and complex aspect of human psychology, representing the intricate dance between our conscious and subconscious minds. It involves the act of misleading oneself to avoid facing uncomfortable truths or to maintain a preferred self-image. This phenomenon is not merely about lying to oneself; it's a sophisticated mechanism that can shape our perceptions, influence our decisions, and even alter our memories. People are drawn to quotes about self-deception because they offer a mirror to our inner workings, providing insights into the ways we might unknowingly sabotage our own happiness or success. These quotes often resonate because they challenge us to confront the illusions we create, encouraging introspection and personal growth. In a world where authenticity is highly valued, understanding self-deception can be a powerful tool for self-awareness and transformation. By exploring this topic, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their own behaviors and motivations, ultimately leading to a more honest and fulfilling life. Whether it's the subtle lies we tell ourselves or the grand narratives we construct, self-deception is a universal experience that invites us to question and explore the truths we hold dear.

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...'fundamentalism' and 'liberalism' and terrorism.' These labels only tell us partial truths. We must use them humbly, guardedly, Niebuhr would say, aware of the limitations of our own vision and of our own capacity for misunderstanding and self-deception.
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As for self-deceit, most people find it as essential for survival as air. You rarely indulge in it.
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We all grasp on to a single idea of ourselves, the way aging people dye their hair. It’s no matter that this dye doesn’t fool you. My lady, you don’t dye your hair to decieve other people, or to fool yourself, but rather to cheat your image in your mirror a little.
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It is not only by dint of lying to others, but also of lying to ourselves, that we cease to notice that we are lying.
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What we believe to be the motives of our conduct are usually just the pretexts for it.
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When my wits fail me, I resort to self-deception.
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Our sweet illusions are half of them conscious illusions, like effects of colour that we know to be made up of tinsel, broken glass and rags.
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Perhaps the strangest thing about this illusion of control is not that it happens but that it seems to confer many of the psychological benefits of genuine control. In fact, the one group of people who seem generally immune to this illusion are the clinically depressed, who tend to estimate accurately the degree to which they can control events in most situation.
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I would desire every divine to beware that he tell not the unsanctified, that whoever hath the least degree of love to God for himself, and not as a means to carnal ends, shall certainly be saved ; for he would certainly deceive many thousand miserable souls that should persuade them of this (670).
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Charlie had always been a sucker for this part... the first days. The days when you let yourself believe the lies... Not just that there's someone who truly sees you... truly understands you... to your soul... but that you even want them to. That's the sweetest lie, the one you tell yourself.
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