Armstrong's words confirm what some of us who cover sports have long suspected: to dope, cheaters have to delude themselves, believe their own lies.

NPR: Column: Live Commentary On Armstrong Interview

"There will be strong psychological and emotional incentives to defend and remain loyal to the family member, and to delude and self-deceive themselves about the reality of their relative's guilt, " Price said.

CNN: A killer in the family

"Despite the fact that people like to delude themselves that Colorado is somehow different, says US Bank chief economist Tucker Hart Adams, "the fact is we are very much in line with the US economy.

BBC: Denver's survival instinct

Instead of curling photographs and yellowing newspapers, we are possessed of a shiny and permanent now, one we flit-click about and so delude ourselves as to our own eternal youth - until, that is, we look down at the wrinkled and liver-spotted hands that rest on the keyboard.

BBC: A Point of View: Nostalgia - it's not like it used to be

"We delude ourselves if we think we can afford to make a mistake, " says Birck.

FORBES: Survival technique: paranoia

But in doing so, we delude ourselves, as well as do a disservice to high achievers.

FORBES: Apple Vs. Hero Worshippers