They are able because they think they are able.
—Virgil (70–19 BCE) Roman Poet
If you think you can, you can.
And if you think you can’t, you’re right.
—Mary Kay Ash (1918–2001) American Entrepreneur, Businessperson
How much time he gains who does not look to see what his neighbor says or does or thinks, but only at what he does himself, to make it just and holy.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
We are taught you must blame your father, your sisters, your brothers, the school, the teachers—you can blame anyone, but never blame yourself. It’s never your fault. But it’s always your fault, because if you want to change, you’re the one who has got to change. It’s as simple as that, isn’t it?
—Katharine Hepburn (1907–2003) American Actor, TV Personality
Confidence … is directness and courage in meeting the facts of life.
—John Dewey (1859–1952) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Educator
I was thinking of my patients, and how the worst moment for them was when they discovered they were masters of their own fate. It was not a matter of bad or good luck. When they could no longer blame fate, they were in despair.
—Anais Nin (1903–77) French-American Essayist
Every time I start a picture … I feel the same fear, the same self-doubts … and I have only one source on which I can draw, because it comes from within me.
—Federico Fellini (1920–93) Italian Filmmaker
There are three types of baseball players—those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happens.
—Tommy Lasorda (1927–2021) American Baseball Player, Coach
The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm.
—Swedish Proverb
Inspiration may be a form of super-consciousness, or perhaps of sub-consciousness—I wouldn’t know. But I am sure it is the antithesis of self-consciousness.
—Aaron Copland (1900–90) American Composer, Pianist, Conductor
Happiness depends upon ourselves.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
The times of drastic change are times of passions. We can never really be prepared from that which is wholly new. We have to adjust ourselves, and every radical adjustment is a crisis in self-esteem: we undergo a test, we have to prove ourselves. A population subjected to drastic change is, thus, a population of misfits, and misfits live and breathe in an atmosphere of passion.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
It is as proper to have pride in oneself as it is ridiculous to show it to others.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
I have always regarded myself as the pillar of my life.
—Meryl Streep (b.1949) American Actor
The essence of philosophy is that a man should so live that his happiness shall depend as little as possible on external things.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
Man must be arched and buttressed from within, else the temple will crumble to dust.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
We can be thankful to a friend for a few acres, or a little money; and yet for the freedom and command of the whole earth, and for the great benefits of our being, our life, health, and reason, we look upon ourselves as under no obligation.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
We’re all in this together … alone.
—Lily Tomlin (b.1939) American Comedy Actress
Confidence on the outside begins by living with integrity on the inside.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
If you want to succeed in the world you must make your own opportunities as you go on. The man who waits for some seventh wave to toss him on dry land will find that the seventh wave is a long time coming.
—John Bartholomew Gough (1817–86) Anglo-American Temperance Orator
Confidence in nonsense is a requirement for the creative process.
—Unknown
Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.
—Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) American Self-Help Author
Self-pity is easily the most destructive of the non-pharmaceutical narcotics; it is addictive, gives momentary pleasure and separates the victim from reality.
—John W. Gardner (1912–2002) American Activist
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own.And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.
—Theodor Seuss Geisel (‘Dr. Seuss’) (1904–91) American Children’s Books Writer, Writer, Cartoonist, Animator
Confidence is the illusion born of accidental success.
—Unknown
True prosperity is the result of well-placed confidence in ourselves and our fellow man.
—Unknown
The world has the habit of making room for the man whose words and actions show that he knows where he is going.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
If you doubt yourself, then indeed you stand on shaky ground.
—Henrik Ibsen (1828–1906) Norwegian Playwright
Man must cease attributing his problems to his environment, and learn again to exercise his will – his personal responsibility in the realm of faith and morals.
—Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French Theologian, Musician, Philosopher, Physician
Men, at some time, are masters of their fates.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright