...narcissism is a defensive reaction to deep-seated feelings of inadequacy. If you stare in the mirror all day thinking "you're ugly, everybody hates you" you've still spent all day staring into the mirror.
Buffy: I feel like I'm worse than anyone. Honestly, I'm beneath them. My friends, my boyfriends. I feel like I'm not worthy of their love. 'Cause even though they love me, it doesn't mean anything 'cause their opinions don't matter. They don't know. They haven't been through what I've been through. They're not the Slayer. I am. Sometimes I feel... (sighs) this is awful — I feel like I'm better than them. Superior.
Holden: Until you can't win. And I thought I was diabolical — or, at least I plan to be. You do have a superiority complex. And you've got an inferiority complex about it.
Holden: Until you can't win. And I thought I was diabolical — or, at least I plan to be. You do have a superiority complex. And you've got an inferiority complex about it.
Donna: I keep telling you, I'm not [special].
Metacrisis Doctor: No, but you are-! (he pauses) Oh... You really don't believe that, do you? I can see, Donna. What you're thinking. All that attitude, all that lip, 'cause all this time... You think you're not worth it.
Donna: (half-heartedly) Stop it.
Metacrisis Doctor: Shouting at the world 'cause no-one's listening. Well, why should they?
Donna: (quietly) Doctor. Stop it.
Metacrisis Doctor: No, but you are-! (he pauses) Oh... You really don't believe that, do you? I can see, Donna. What you're thinking. All that attitude, all that lip, 'cause all this time... You think you're not worth it.
Donna: (half-heartedly) Stop it.
Metacrisis Doctor: Shouting at the world 'cause no-one's listening. Well, why should they?
Donna: (quietly) Doctor. Stop it.
— Doctor Who, "Journey's End"
A Bene Gesserit axiom arose unbidden in her mind, though: 'The haughty do but build castle walls behind which they try to hide their doubts and fears.'
Diane Lawler: People think a sandbagger is some sort of Superman and don't realize they have to have a basic character defect to qualify.
Neil Burnside: Go on, Dr. Lawler.
Diane: You know it's true, every one of you's had it.
Neil: Before you get too personal, just remember who makes the coffee around here, will you?
Diane: Right, I'll tell you in simple terms: None of you has been able to cope with affection, so you've all opted for respect instead.
Neil: Is that so.
Diane: Yes, it is. You feel you can't be loved or wanted for the person you are; you have to create a false person, one who is more committed, more dedicated than anybody else. And that's your definition of a sandbagger.
Neil: Interesting, but wrong.
Diane: Is it? I've been in the Ops Directorate for twelve years, longer than you, and I've seen sandbaggers come and go.
Neil Burnside: Go on, Dr. Lawler.
Diane: You know it's true, every one of you's had it.
Neil: Before you get too personal, just remember who makes the coffee around here, will you?
Diane: Right, I'll tell you in simple terms: None of you has been able to cope with affection, so you've all opted for respect instead.
Neil: Is that so.
Diane: Yes, it is. You feel you can't be loved or wanted for the person you are; you have to create a false person, one who is more committed, more dedicated than anybody else. And that's your definition of a sandbagger.
Neil: Interesting, but wrong.
Diane: Is it? I've been in the Ops Directorate for twelve years, longer than you, and I've seen sandbaggers come and go.
— The Sandbaggers, "Enough of Ghosts"
Part of me suspects that I'm a loser, and the other part of me thinks I’m God Almighty.
Aleu: I know who I am! I am Aleu, daughter of Balto and Jenna, who happens to be a pure-bred husky! (angrily) Who are you? (growls)
Muru: (glances at her, unafraid) I am Muru, son of Kahu and Qirac. Both of them, simple field mice.
Muru: (glances at her, unafraid) I am Muru, son of Kahu and Qirac. Both of them, simple field mice.
From all I've described to you, it must be clear that Aja wasn't the easiest person to get along with. She had a quick temper that flashed nasty the instant someone challenged her. She was a proud person, and totally brainy. And she took every chance she could to prove it. That was the exact opposite of somebody like, say. Uncle Press. Uncle Press knew pretty much everything about everything, but never rubbed it in your face. I think that came from confidence. With Aja, I got the feeling that beneath it all, she wasn't totally sure of herself, which is why she was always trying to demonstrate her brilliance.
— Bobby Pendragon about Aja Killian, The Pendragon Adventure book #4: The Reality Bug
"i thin kand i type like god but im not fgod im just a big im just a pussy" Translation
— Tommy, in a letter to Ranboo, Dream SMP
Loki: I don't enjoy hurting people. I… [sighs] I don't enjoy it. I do it because I have to, because I've had to.
Mobius: Okay, explain that to me.
Loki: Because it's part of the illusion. It's the cruel, elaborate trick conjured by the weak [gestures at himself] to inspire fear.
Mobius: A desperate play for control. You do know yourself.
Mobius: Okay, explain that to me.
Loki: Because it's part of the illusion. It's the cruel, elaborate trick conjured by the weak [gestures at himself] to inspire fear.
Mobius: A desperate play for control. You do know yourself.
— Loki, "Glorious Purpose"
Susie: HAHAHA!! How's it taste, idiot?! Man, I'm gonna relish this FOREVER! How's it feel to be like the rest of us, idiot? All those times you acted so high and mighty? You're not! Face it! You're just as big a dumbass as the rest of us!
Berdly: ...fine. I...I'm not that smart. I never was. THERE, are you happy?! I...I...I just...I used to be a forgettable little bluebird. Nobody even remembered my name. Then...one day came the spelling bee Noelle and I studied for. When it came down to the two of us...She got nervous and couldn't speak. She lost. And I won. That was when I tasted it. The praise. The glory. The...superiority! The addictive power of being...SMART! Since then, year after year, I've been number one in the class. ...but it's only because Noelle helps me study. She's...the real smart kid. But everyone's expectations for ME are so high now...What am I going to do once I go somewhere without her? That's...why I wanted to make a new world. For us. A world where we'll ALWAYS be number one and number two! But..I was so wrapped up in that, I got tricked by Queen. Maybe I did just like being superior.
"I know you play like you're the meanest and the hardest, but actually, you're the most scared of all."
— Yondu Udonta to Rocket Raccoon, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
The less justified a man is in claiming excellence for his own self, the more ready he is to claim all excellence for his nation, his religion, his race or his holy cause.
— True Believer by Eric Hoffer
Straight hair, straight A's, straightforward,
Straight path, I don't cut corners,
I make a point to be on time,
Head of the student council,
I don't black out at parties,
I jam to Paul McCartney,
If you ask me how I'm doing I'll say "Well..."
I was adopted when I was two,
My parents spoiled me rotten,
Often, I ask myself what did I do,
To get as far as I've gotten?
Straight path, I don't cut corners,
I make a point to be on time,
Head of the student council,
I don't black out at parties,
I jam to Paul McCartney,
If you ask me how I'm doing I'll say "Well..."
I was adopted when I was two,
My parents spoiled me rotten,
Often, I ask myself what did I do,
To get as far as I've gotten?
— Taylor Louderman, "Little Miss Perfect"
There were times when you would feel that the world would be a better place if Annagramma got the occasional slap around the ear. The silly unthinking insults, her huge lack of interest in anyone other than herself, the way she treated everyone as if they were slightly deaf and a bit stupid... it could make your blood boil. But you put up with it because every once in a while you saw through it all. Inside there was this worried, frantic little face watching the world like a bunny watching a fox, and screaming at it in the hope that it would go away and not hurt her.
— A description of Annagramma Hawkin in Discworld's Wintersmith
"Leo demonstrates a behavioral pattern of overcompensating in order to mask his insecurities. More specifically, this overcompensation of his insecurities manifests in him attempting to make up for what skills he believes he lacks. He doesn't deem himself as capable as people around him, or perhaps he doesn't believe his skillset is comparatively significant, and feels the need to prove himself as solely able. As a result, he acts blithely, coming across as incredibly egotistical and dismissive. Even worse, in a leadership position, this makes him immature, dangerously impulsive, and have a perceived lack of respect for those following him, especially with Raph, who has the authority to accurately criticize him. Consequently, his behavior creates tensions within his family, namely between him and Raph, and gets in the way of important missions. By attempting to prove he can cover his weaknesses on his own, he taints the value his actual possessed skillsets and admirable qualities could have."
— "Leo's Misunderstood Ego"
by Skulltrot, summarizing Leonardo's character in Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
by Skulltrot, summarizing Leonardo's character in Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles[I]f we inquire into a superiority complex and study its continuity, we can always find a more or less hidden inferiority complex.
—Alfred Adler, "The Science of Living"
