But to pretend we can democratize China by means of economics is, finally, a self-serving conceit.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Trade as An Engine for Democracy in China: The Big Lie

Jellyby from "Bleak House, " that little tornado of conceit and self-righteousness who set herself to rehabilitating the world as she neglected her own family.

WSJ: Would Ike Have Gone to Libya?

My thesaurus lists vanity, conceit, self-importance and self-absorption.

BBC: Viewpoint: In defence of narcissism