The lies of a psychopath or narcissist are different to those the rest of us tell. Their relationship with truth is different in kind, not just in degree. For them, the concept of objective truth is meaningless: their immediate desires and needs come first - ALWAYS.

Most of us, when we lie, *know* we have deliberately falsified reality, violated a trust. If you have a conscience, that costs you something.

But these people are entirely about power and personal advantage. Truth is meaningless. This is why they can lie without a flicker.

It's also why, when exposed in a lie, they can so easily laugh it off, or double down, or immediately counter with another lie.

And that's it: elect psychopaths, and you end up in the position of a gaslit spouse. Some of us have been there and can recognise it.

They also derive pleasure from fooling people; you'll sometimes notice a smirk. This is because their drug of choice is putting one over on you. There's even a term for it: "duper's delight."

As a footnote, their use of language is interesting. It can be extravagant and colourful but it is *always* imprecise, off kilter, and at an angle to reality. Try to pin them down on detail and they will wriggle like a lizard in a trap.