The Sin of Narcissism: Meeting One’s Own Worst Enemy

Narcissus Discovered Himself

The tale of Narcissus might prove insightful in unpacking my desire to be liked. According to Ovid’s “Metamorphoses,” Narcissus was born of a river god and a nymph. His beauty inspired love in everyone who met him. Upon Narcissus’s birth, an oracle was asked if he would live a long life, and the seer replied, “If he does not discover himself.”?

Indeed, everyone fell in love with Narcissus and admired him, and Narcissus, with distant pride, refused their admiration and even scorned them all. One of his admirers didn’t appreciate this treatment and prayed to the gods: “So may he himself love, and so may he fail to command what he loves.” Nemesis, the goddess of divine retribution, heard this prayer.

One day, Narcissus came upon a secluded fountain of water where he decided to rest. The water was still and clear. He lay down next to the water to rest and quench his thirst. And there, seeing his reflection in the water, he fell in love with himself.

So enamored with himself was Narcissus that he refused to eat or drink. He only wanted to grasp hold of his own reflection and was frustrated by his inability to do so. He gazed at himself until he wasted away, with the last words, “Alas, in vain, beloved boy! … Goodbye!”