" Such self-
complacency is a fearful shield against criticism, and particularly
so because it gives as a rule so few opportunities for any outside
person, however intimate, to expose the obliquity of such a
temperament. The dramatic egotist is careful as a rule not to let
his egotism appear, but to profess to be, and even to believe that
he is, guided by the highest motives in all his actions and words.
A candid remonstrance is met by a calm tolerance, and by the reply
that the critic does not understand the situation, and is trying to
hinder rather than to help the development of beneficent designs.
I used to know a man of this type, who was insatiably greedy of
influence and recognition. It is true that he was ready to help
other people with money or advice. He was wealthy, and of a good
position; and he would take a great deal of trouble to obtain
appointments for friends who appealed to him, or to unravel a
difficult situation; though the object of his diligence was not to
help his applicants, but to obtain credit and power for himself.
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