ABSTRACT
Some of the greatest and purest founders and propagators of religion have been among the greatest egotists in the sense that they openly identified the idea of good with the idea of self, and spoke of the two interchangeably. A lack of tact in face-to-face intercourse very commonly gives an impression of egotism, even when it is a superficial trait not really expressive of an unsympathetic character. People who are doing really important things usually appear simple and unaffected in conversation, largely because their selves are healthfully employed elsewhere. The success of selfishness attracts attention and exaggeration because it is hateful to us; but the really strong generally work within the prevalent standards of justice and courtesy, and so escape condemnation. The Self, like a child, is not likely to hold its own in the world unless it has had a mature prenatal development.
