Narcissist vs. Egotist — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 5, 2023
Narcissist is a person with an excessive or erotic interest in oneself. Egotist is a person who is excessively conceited or absorbed in themselves.
Difference Between Narcissist and Egotist
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The concept of a narcissist dwells extensively upon self-love and self-adoration to a level where empathy towards others is often diminished or non-existent. Narcissists do not just love themselves; they are obsessed with their own image, frequently disregarding others’ feelings and needs.
Conversely, an egotist could be described as someone who talks and thinks about themselves excessively due to their inflated sense of self-importance. While egotists may appear to have a high self-regard, they might not necessarily lack empathy or disregard others’ needs and feelings.
A narcissist typically necessitates admiration from others to validate their self-perception and will manipulate situations to ensure they remain in the spotlight. Their worldview is primarily ego-centric, and others are often viewed merely as extensions of themselves.
In contrast, an egotist may believe that they are better or more important than others but not always go to lengths to seek validation of this belief from others. They might be overly focused on their own needs and perspectives but not always lack consideration for others.
With narcissism, there is often a fragile self-esteem beneath the exterior of grandiosity. A narcissist might engage in grandiose fantasies, and when reality collides with these fantasies, it often results in a narcissistic injury, leading to rage or deep shame.
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On the other hand, an egotist, although self-centered and selfish, may not possess the same fragility in their self-esteem. They often believe in their superiority, but their self-perception is not typically as vulnerable to external influences as a narcissist’s might be.
Comparison Chart
Core Trait
Needs admiration
Excessive self-importance
Empathy Levels
Generally lacks empathy
May not necessarily lack empathy
Validation Requirement
Seeks constant validation
May not seek validation
Reaction to Criticism
Extremely adverse to criticism
May not be as adversely affected by criticism
Interpersonal Relations
Often manipulative
Can be dominating, not necessarily manipulative
Compare with Definitions
Narcissist
One who lacks empathy and exploits others.
The narcissist manipulated her friends without remorse.
Egotist
Someone who often puts their own needs before others.
The egotist did not ask about her day, talking only of his experiences.
Narcissist
A person obsessed with their own needs and admiration.
The narcissist spent hours admiring himself in the mirror.
Egotist
A person excessively focused on their own needs and importance.
The egotist dominated the conversation with stories of his achievements.
Narcissist
Someone with a grandiose sense of self-importance.
The narcissist could not comprehend why his ideas were not implemented.
Egotist
A person believing they are better or more important than others.
The egotist could not fathom why others were praised.
Narcissist
A personality disorder characterized by an exaggerated sense of self-importance, need for admiration, and lack of empathy. Also called narcissistic personality disorder.
Egotist
One who speaks or thinks of oneself excessively.
The egotist could not stop talking about her success.
Narcissist
Excessive preoccupation with or admiration of oneself.
Egotist
A person with an inflated view of their own importance.
The egotist brushed off others’ ideas, believing his to be superior.
Narcissist
Pleasure derived from contemplation or admiration of one's own body or self, considered in psychoanalytic theory to be a fixation on or a regression to an infantile stage of development.
Egotist
A person who is excessively conceited or absorbed in themselves; self-seeker
He is a self-absorbed egotist
Narcissist
(psychology) One who shows extreme love and admiration for themselves.
Egotist
A conceited, boastful person.
Narcissist
(colloquial) An egoist; a person full of egoism and pride.
Egotist
A selfish, self-centered person.
Narcissist
Someone in love with hisself or herself.
Egotist
A person who talks excessively about themself.
Narcissist
Someone in love with themselves
Egotist
A person who believes in his or her own importance or superiority.
Narcissist
A person who needs constant admiration from others.
The narcissist was crushed when the applause was not loud enough.
Egotist
An egoist advocate of egoism.
Narcissist
A person who engages in fantasy about success and power.
The narcissist daydreamed about becoming the world’s greatest leader.
Egotist
One addicted to egotism; one who speaks much of himself or magnifies his own achievements or affairs.
Egotist
A conceited and self-centered person
Common Curiosities
Can egotists have genuine self-esteem?
Egotists may possess genuine self-esteem but are often excessively vocal or boastful about it.
Is narcissism hereditary?
While some studies suggest a genetic factor, narcissism is generally considered to develop from environmental factors.
Can narcissism be treated or managed?
Yes, narcissism, especially NPD, can be managed with professional psychological interventions.
Is narcissism a personality disorder?
Yes, Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a recognized psychological disorder.
Are narcissists always harmful in relationships?
Narcissists often create toxic dynamics in relationships due to their lack of empathy and manipulative behaviors.
What drives a narcissist’s need for admiration?
Narcissists often seek admiration to validate their grandiose self-perception and protect their fragile self-esteem.
How does an egotist view their own faults?
An egotist may acknowledge faults but often still views themselves as inherently superior or important.
Can egotists display empathy?
Egotists can exhibit empathy but often prioritize their own perspectives and needs.
Is being an egotist a mental health disorder?
No, being an egotist is not classified as a mental health disorder like NPD.
Can egotism affect professional relationships?
Yes, egotism can strain professional relationships due to the perceived arrogance or self-centeredness.
Is it challenging to work with an egotist?
Working with an egotist can be challenging due to their self-centered attitude and possible disregard for collective needs.
How does an egotist perceive criticism?
Egotists may not like criticism but they typically do not react as defensively or aggressively as narcissists.
Can narcissists feel empathy?
Narcissists are typically characterized by a lack of empathy, being more focused on their own needs and feelings.
Can a narcissist genuinely care for others?
Narcissists may exhibit care but often for how it serves their image or needs.
How does society typically view narcissists and egotists?
Society often views both narcissists and egotists negatively due to their self-centered behaviors and attitudes.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
