Nothing is easier than self-deceit. For what each man wishes, that he also believes to be true. Demosthenes
We are never deceived; we deceive ourselves. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The easiest person to deceive is one’s own self. Edward Bulwer-Lytton
No satisfaction based upon self-deception is solid, and however unpleasant the truth may be, it is better to face it once for all, to get used to it, and to proceed to build your life in accordance with it. Bertrand Russell
Nationalism is power hunger tempered by self-deception. George Orwell
When a person cannot deceive himself the chances are against his being able to deceive other people. Mark Twain
Who had deceived thee so often as thyself? Benjamin Franklin
The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions. Leonardo da Vinci
I try not to kid myself. You know, I don’t mind romancing someone else, but to fool yourself is pretty devastating and dangerous. Bill Veeck
Most of our platitudes notwithstanding, self-deception remains the most difficult deception. The tricks that work on others count for nothing in that very well-lit back alley where one keeps assignations with oneself: no winning smiles will do here, no prettily drawn lists of good intentions. Joan Didion