The more he talked himself into a delirium of self-esteem the less his character impressed me.

I even ran into the danger of under-estimating him because he liked himself so much.
"I'm here to look into the prospects for a school," I said.
"Yes, yes.

Very estimable.

You shall have my support." He paused for me to fawn on him, and my neglect to do it spurred him to further self-revelation.
"You must look to me for support if you hope for success.

There is no cohesion here without me.