deceive oneself

All the rest is either to deceive oneself or to wish to deceive others; and to wish to deceive others in order to deceive oneself.

But there are times when it is almost as difficult to deceive oneself as to cheat others.

After all, it is in the ability to deceive oneself that the greatest talent is shown, is it not?

Self-knowledge of this kind is naturally difficult, for the temptation to deceive oneself is immeasurably great.

How unfortunate to deceive oneself, and much more when one wishes to deceive others.