Youth and Egolatry

"Youth and Egolatry" by Pío Baroja is a reflective story exploring the complicated connections between self-centeredness and the journey to find oneself. Set in the late 1800s, the story shares the author's thoughts and life lessons as he looks at universal themes like figuring out who you are and what it means to be human. The book dives into Baroja's personal journey, showing his run-ins with society and his deep thinking about different philosophical ideas. At the start, Baroja admits he's writing about his own life, but with a modest attitude. He brings up topics such as excessive self-regard, each person’s quest for purpose, and the built-in aspects of feelings and impulses. He starts off with a funny story—local children viewing him as a villain—which he uses as a starting point to discuss identity. He later thinks about his lived days, including his views on fixed beliefs and personal values, setting the stage for the self-searching and thoughtful wanderings to come. The opening part makes Baroja’s introspective style obvious, getting people ready for a thoughtful trip into his history and ideas.