Complements and Compliments

Another pair of "tricksy twins"

Welcome to Extra Muros, a blog about matters of interest to self-directed learners. If you like what you see, please share Extra Muros with your friends.  If you find Extra Muros tiresome, supercilious, or just plain wrong, please share it with your enemies.

Michelangelo da Caravaggio Narcissus

Narcissists and solipsists thrive on compliments.¹ That is, perhaps, the reason for the letter “i” in the middle of that word.

Folk of the self-centered persuasion, however, rarely complement the lives of others, for that would require empathy, engagement with other people, and enthusiasm for enhancing their experiences.

1. The motto of the solipsist is “everything I say is about me.” That of the narcissist is “everything you say is about me.”