“[Dona Maria] saw that the people of this world moved about in an armor of egotism, drunk with self-gazing, athirst for compliments, hearing little of what was said to them, unmoved by the accidents that befell their closest friends, in dread of all appeals that might interrupt their long communion with their own desires.” Thornton Wilder, The Bridge of San Luis Rey
“… as every therapist knows, the ego does not want an end to its ‘problems’ because they are part of its identity. If no one will listen to my sad story, I can tell it to myself in my head, over and over, and feel sorry for myself, and so have an identity as someone who is being treated unfairly by life or other people, fate or God. It gives definition to my self-image, makes me into someone, and that is all that matters to the ego.” Eckhart Tolle
“How to get rid of ego as dictator and turn it into messenger and servant and scout, to be in your service, is the trick.” Joseph Campbell
"The ego likes to be entertained and reaffirmed constantly. When it is made to be quiet, and not do anything interesting, it objects quite vehemently and tries to circumvent the situation by finding something to support it, such a talking, reading, daydreaming, anything to keep it going. Unless we renounce these tendencies, meditation cannot succeed.” Ayya Khema
“Midlife is the time to let go of an overdominant ego and to contemplate the deeper significance of human existence.” C.G. Jung
“Forget the self and you will fear nothing, in whatever level or awareness you find yourself to be.” Carlos Castaneda
