Definitions HQ

Self-deception (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠as easy to do unknowiningly as it is to deceive others.

Self-deception (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠as easy to perpetrate without perceiving it oneself as it is difficult to deceive others without their finding out.

Self-deception (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠better passed by when recognized in others. For to disabuse a man of his self image is to do him as a bad a turn as that done to the athenian madman who was happy in believing that all the ships touching at the port belonged to him.

Self-deception's (n.) extent ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠in all men is discoverable in the way we credit ourselves with vices opposite to our real vices: Thus when we are weak we boast of our obstinacy.

Self-deception (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠a trade-off. As deceiving as hope is, it serves at least to lead us to the end of our lives by an agreeable route.

Self-deception (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠that odd thing in us that allows for nothing to comfort us when we are betrayed by our friends, yet we are often happy to be deceived and betrayed by ourselves.