“Self-love is the greatest of all flatterers.”

“The consciousness of self is the greatest hindrance to the proper execution of all physical action.”

Bruce Lee (1940–1973) Hong Kong-American actor, martial artist, philosopher and filmmaker

“Learning to love yourself, is the greatest love all”

Whitney Houston (1963–2012) American singer, actress, model, and record producer

“Of all pains, the greatest pain
Is to love, and love in vain.”

George Granville, 1st Baron Lansdowne (1666–1735) 1st Baron Lansdowne

“Philosophic clarity has been a key to his life in business, and he doesn’t fall for facile or self-flattering descriptions—not even, usually, for the self-flattery of thinking he is immune to self-flattery.”

John Barnes book Mother of Storms

“Self-consciousness is the enemy of all art, be it acting, writing, painting, or living itself, which is the greatest art of all.”

Ray Bradbury (1920–2012) American writer

“Self-love is the source of all our other loves.”

Pierre Corneille Tite et Bérénice

“The dove loves even when it attacks; the wolf hates even when it flatters.”
Columba amat et quando caedit. Lupus odit et quando blanditur.

Aurelius Augustinus (354–430) early Christian theologian and philosopher

“Love is no true-made looking-glass
Which perfect yields the shape we bring;
It ugly shows us all that was,
And flatters every future thing.”

Fulke Greville, 1st Baron Brooke (1554–1628) English politician

“Man is naturally a proud Animal, and is fond of nothing more than the Breath of Fame to sooth his Vanity, and flatter his Self-Admiration.”

Richard Blackmore (1654–1729) English poet and physician