Ego
Part of speech: noun
Definition: The self, especially with overtones of self-importance. The most conscious part of the mind, which mediates with one's surroundings.
Example sentence: I think you can make fun of anything except things people can't help. They can't help their race or their sex or their age, so you ridicule their pretension or their ego instead. You can ridicule ideas - ideas don't have feelings. You can ridicule an idea that someone holds without hurting them.
Self-importance
Part of speech: noun
Definition: An exaggerated estimate of one's own importance or merit, especially as manifested by the conduct or manners; self-conceit.