Compléter AMC 11月U5Version en ligne AMC 11月U5 par Clara Chen 1 prediction attractive pursuits fell fate curious eventually describe destined implied staring viewpoints tragic involved term reflection Several words in the English language have their roots in Greek mythology . The word " narcissism " is one such . Its meaning is connected to a figure named Narcissus . In one version of the story , Narcissus was the child of the river god Cephissus and the beautiful goddess , Liriope . Feeling about her handsome young son's future , Liriope went to visit a fortune - teller , who made a mysterious concerning her child . She that Narcissus would grow to a ripe old age only if he never got to know himself . As the years passed , the youthful Narcissus grew more and more . Many of his peers in love with Narcissus's good looks and athletic body . He never got with anyone , though , because he was more interested in his own . Then , one day Narcissus glimpsed his in a pool of water . For the first time , he fell in love ? but it was with his own image . Narcissus couldn't stop at his beautiful reflection . After going without food and water for a long while , Narcissus died from thirst and hunger . Today , the word " narcissism " is used to the behavior of people who hold themselves to be better than everyone else and don't value others' . Like Narcissus , many are to suffer a sad if they cannot get over their self - importance .