Okay so, while narcissists are always (and consistently) arrogant, not all arrogant people are narcissists.
And there’s a very simple way to differentiate. Inside even the most arrogant person, you’ll uncover empathy and compassion. The regressing narcissist has neither and doesn’t care. A narcissist always put themselves first and will go to great lengths to get the attention, adulation and high priority placement in the lives of others they truly believe they deserve.
Not only do they not care who they walk on, they often purposely walk on those who don’t play into their games. They’re the most revengeful people on planet Earth and fully believe they’re justified to be as such.
Anyone expecting true remorse or regret for their actions from a narcissist is either setting themselves up for disappointment or positioning themselves to get manipulated.
In contrast, even the most arrogant person will reach a point where they stop and reassess the effects of their actions. Sooner or later, like everyone else, they must face their own conscience. An arrogant person is more likely to be simply thoughtless than the narcissists who lives their lives manipulating everyone else for their own purposes.
The arrogant person will, when faced with the damage their actions have created, will express true remorse and take responsibility for their actions.
An excellent example of an arrogant person who finds his hidden compassion and empathy is Mr. Scrooge himself. Unlike the narcissist, Mr. Scrooge felt genuine guilt which motivated him to make needed changes. Guilt is so foreign to narcissists, it might as well be another language.
The arrogant person will say he’s going to change and does exactly that, no matter how hard it may be. It takes time and will include plenty of stops and starts but the intent is always forward motion.
The narcissist, however, will say he’s going to change. Empty word. Don’t mean nothing.
