self-delusion

noun

self-de·​lu·​sion ˌself-di-ˈlü-zhən 

-dē-

plural self-delusions

1

: the act of deluding oneself or the state of being deluded by oneself especially concerning one's true nature, abilities, feelings, etc.

My god-given talent for self-delusion keeps me believing that the increasing amount of time I spend alone is of my own choice …

—Matthew Ritger

They know what they are doing is wrong. And it's our job to remind them of it. Because when we don't continually remind them, people devolve into self-delusion.

—Jessica Valenti

2

: a delusion that one has concerning oneself

… a star of immense talent who harbored no self-delusions.

—Eric Marchese

Word History

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1