Egotist, n. A person of low taste, more interested in himself than in me.

-Bierce, Ambrose Gwinett
  The Cynic's Word Book. Retitled  The Devil's Dictionary (1911).

Que mon livre t'enseigne a'   t'inte¤  resser plus a'   toi qu'a'   lui- me"  meöpuis a'   tout le reste plus qu'a'   toi. Maymy book teachyoutobe moreinterestedinyourself than in itöthen, in everyone else more than yourself.

-Gide, Andre¤   Paul Guillaume
  Les Nourritures terrestres, pt.1.

It wasn't a matterof becoming interested inmusic; music isa gift and a burden I'vehad since Icanremember who I was. I was born into music. The decision was how to make the best use of it.

-Simone, Nina pseudonym of  Eunice Waymon
Quoted in ArtTaylor Notes andTones (1977),'Nina Simone'.