Low self-esteem is like driving through life with your hand-break on.
—Maxwell Maltz (1899–1975) American Surgeon, Motivational Writer
Trust yourself, then you will know how to live.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Conceited men are a harmless kind of creatures, who, by their overweening self-respect, relieve others from the duty of respecting them at all.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
One is rated by others as he rates himself.
—French Proverb
SELF-ESTEEM controls PERFORMANCE/REALITY which stimulate SELF-TALK which reinforces SELF-ESTEEM. This cycle can work positively or negatively and is greatly influenced by the self-talk (I knew I wasn’t good at -X vs. next time I’ll practice and do better at -X).
—Unknown
A person’s worth in this world is estimated according to the value they put on themselves.
—Jean de La Bruyere (1645–96) French Satiric Moralist, Author
Self-love is not opposed to the love of other people. You cannot really love yourself and do yourself a favor without doing other people a favor, and vice versa.
—Karl Menninger (1893–1990) American Psychiatrist
Don’t worry so much about your self-esteem. Worry more about your character. Integrity is its own reward.
—Laura Schlessinger (b.1947) American Radio Talk-Show Host, Author
While we are indifferent to our good qualities, we keep on deceiving ourselves in regard to our faults, until we come to look on them as virtues.
—Heinrich Heine (1797–1856) German Poet, Writer
All the extraordinary men I have known were extraordinary in their own estimation.
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) American Head of State
It is easy to live for others, everybody does. I call on you to live for yourselves.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
He that undervalues himself will undervalue others, and he that undervalues others will oppress them.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
He who despises himself nevertheless esteems himself as a self-despiser.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes.
—Lucan (Marcus Annaeus Lucanus) (39–65 CE) Roman Poet
The most silent people are generally those who think most highly of themselves.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Seriously, I do not think I fit for the presidency.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
A successful man is one who lays a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him.
—Swami Chinmayananda (1916–93) Indian Hindu Spiritual Teacher
Creation is a better means of self-expression than possession; it is through creating, not possessing, that life is revealed.
—Vida Dutton Scudder (1861–1954) American Social Activist, Educator
Every man has a property in his own person. This nobody has a right to, but himself.
—John Locke (1632–1704) English Philosopher, Physician
There are few people who are more often in the wrong than those who cannot endure to be thought so.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
No one can disgrace us but ourselves.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
I have often wondered how it is everyone loves himself more than the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinions of himself than the opinions of others.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
Most of the shadows of this life are caused by standing in our own sunshine.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
He who gives himself airs of importance exhibits the credentials of impotence.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
Whatever games are played with us, we must play no games with ourselves, but deal in our privacy with the last honesty and truth.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Think highly of yourself, for the world takes you at your own estimate.
—Unknown
If you wish your merit to be known,
acknowledge that of other people.
—Eastern Proverb
The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
Whatever you are doing, love yourself for doing it. Whatever you are feeling, love yourself for feeling it.
—Thaddeus Golas (1924–97) American New Age Writer
Never say anything about yourself you do not want to come true.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
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