Author Archives: Alex Burgemeester

Are You A Covert Narcissist?

A few years ago, I visited the tomb of Oscar Wilde, atop of which is a glorious WIlde2sculpture by Jacob Epstein which sets it apart from all others in Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris. Something else which set it apart is the covering of lipstick kisses which I am almost certain Wilde, as a covert narcissist would have approved of. This adoration he would have regarded as rightly deserved after being misunderstood at the very end of his life.  

The Covert Narcissist

If you, like Wilde are apt to see all around you as inferior and rather than make a scene, retreat into either spoken or written witticisms,  knowing that one phrase from you is worth ten of everyone else’s then you may well be a covert rather than a more obvious narcissist.  Wilde could encapsulate a whole paragraph of superiority on any topic into a few pithy and extremely witty words.  One of my favourite quotes is his commentary upon poverty: “Charity creates a multitude of sins”.

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