Self importance is defined as an exaggerated estimate of one's own importance or merit or calibre, especially as manifested by the conduct or manners. Self importance is synonymous to self-conceit. Good intellectual work is often characterized by self importance. An excessive sense of self importance is also called as ‘egotism’. Self importance is a manifest feeling of personal superiority in rank, power, dignity, or estimation. A high sense of self importance may also lead to complacency or over confidence. In these sorts of situations an exaggerated sense of self importance is deemed as an individual fault. Self importance is often misunderstood for arrogance and those who exhibit it are deemed to be haughty and are shunned in the society. In the words of Thomas Szasz, “Every act of conscious learning requires the willingness to suffer an injury to one's self-esteem. That is why young children, before they are aware of their own self-importance, learn so easily.”
