A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Our self-conceit sustains, and always must sustain us.
—Samuel Butler
Self-respect will keep a man from being abject when he is in the power of enemies, and will enable him to feel that he may be in the right when the world is against him.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
Confidence … is directness and courage in meeting the facts of life.
—John Dewey (1859–1952) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Educator
Believe that with your feelings and your work you are taking part in the greatest; the more strongly you cultivate this belief, the more will reality and the world go forth from it.
—Rainer Maria Rilke (1875–1926) Austrian Poet
Once you get rid of the idea that you must please other people before you please yourself, and you begin to follow your own instincts—only then can you be successful. You become more satisfied, and when you are other people tend to be satisfied by what you do.
—Raquel Welch (b.1940) American Actress, Singer
Nobody holds a good opinion of a man who has a low opinion of himself.
—Anthony Trollope (1815–82) English Novelist
Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence.
—Vince Lombardi (1913–70) American Football Coach
Great poetry is always written by somebody straining to go beyond what he can do.
—Stephen Spender (1909–95) English Poet, Critic
Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
—Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American Writer, Aphorist
Self-distrust is the cause of most of our failures.—In the assurance of strength there is strength; and they are the weakest, however strong, who have no faith in themselves or their powers.
—Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American Writer, Aphorist
Immense power is acquired by assuring yourself in your secret reveries that you were born to control affairs.
—Andrew Carnegie (1835–1919) Scottish-American Industrialist
I’ve always seen myself as a winner, even as a kid. If I hadn’t, I just might have gone down the drain a couple of times. I’ve got something inside of me, peasant like and stubborn, and I’m in it ’til the end of the race.
—Truman Capote (1924–84) American Novelist
Nothing is a greater impediment to being on good terms with others than being ill at ease with yourself. – Balzac, Honore De
—Honore de Balzac (1799–1850) French Novelist
Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
In 40 hours I shall be in battle, with little information, and on the spur of the moment will have to make the most momentous decisions. But I believe that one’s spirit enlarges with responsibility and that, with God’s help, I shall make them, and make them right.
—George S. Patton (1885–1945) American Military Leader
Glamour is assurance. It is a kind of knowing that you are all right in every way, mentally and physically and in appearance, and that, whatever the occasion or the situation, you are equal to it.
—Marlene Dietrich (1901–92) German-born American Actor, Singer
Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined! As you simplify your life, the laws of the Universe will be simpler, solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
There is overwhelming evidence that the higher the level of self-esteem, the more likely one will treat others with respect, kindness, and generosity. People who do not experience self-love have little or no capacity to love others.
—Nathaniel Branden (1930–2014) American Psychotherapist
For they conquer who believe they can.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
The way to develop self-confidence is to do the thing you fear and get a record of successful experiences behind you. Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.
—William Jennings Bryan (1860–1925) American Political leader, Diplomat, Politician
One’s self-image is very important because if that’s in good shape, then you can do anything, or practically anything.
—John Gielgud (1904–2000) English Actor, Theatre Director
The confidence we have in ourselves arises in a great measure from that which we have in others.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Search and you will find that at the base and birth of every great business organization was an enthusiast, a man consumed with earnestness of purpose, with confidence in his powers, with faith in the worthwhileness of his endeavors.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
They are able because they think they are able.
—Virgil (70–19 BCE) Roman Poet
Perhaps I am stronger than I think.
—Thomas Merton (1915–68) American Trappist Monk
Never bend your head. Hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Oftentimes nothing profits more than self-esteem, grounded on what is just and right and well-managed.
—John Milton (1608–74) English Poet, Civil Servant, Scholar, Debater
To have that sense of one’s intrinsic worth which constitutes self-respect is potentially to have everything: the ability to discriminate, to love and to remain indifferent. To lack it is to be locked within oneself, paradoxically incapable of either love or indifference.
—Joan Didion (b.1934) American Essayist, Novelist, Memoirist
Class is an aura of confidence that is being sure without being cocky. Class has nothing to do with money. Class never runs scared. It is self-discipline and self-knowledge. It’s the sure-footedness that comes with having proved you can meet life.
—Ask Ann Landers (1918–2002) American Advice Columnist
Your success depends mainly upon what you think of yourself and whether you believe in yourself.
—William J. H. Boetcker (1873–1962) American Presbyterian Minister
As is our confidence, so is our capacity.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Having once decided to achieve a certain task, achieve it at all costs of tedium and distaste. The gain in self-confidence of having accomplished a tiresome labor is immense.
—Arnold Bennett (1867–1931) British Novelist, Playwright, Critic
Only the person who has faith in himself is able to be faithful to others.
—Erich Fromm (1900–80) German-American Psychoanalyst, Social Philosopher
The promises of this world are, for the most part, vain phantoms; and to confide in one’s self, and become something of worth and value is the best and safest course.
—Michelangelo (1475–1564) Italian Painter, Sculptor, Architect, Poet, Engineer
There’s one blessing only, the source and cornerstone of beatitude: confidence in self.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
I always thought I should be treated like a star.
—Madonna (b.1958) American Pop Singer, Actress
Self-love is not so vile a sin as self-neglecting.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Calm self-confidence is as far from conceit as the desire to earn a decent living is remote from greed.
—Channing Pollock (1880–1946)
American Playwright, Critic
Confidence imparts a wondrous inspiration to its possessor.—It bears him on in security, either to meet no danger, or to find matter of glorious trial.
—John Milton (1608–74) English Poet, Civil Servant, Scholar, Debater
Skill and confidence are an unconquered army.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
If a man doesn’t delight in himself and the force in him and feel that he and it are wonders, how is all life to become important to him?
—Sherwood Anderson (1876–1941) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
Pride … is the direct appreciation of oneself.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
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
It’s so important to believe in yourself. Believe that you can do it, under any circumstances. Because if you believe you can, then you really will. That belief just keeps you searching for the answers, and then pretty soon you get it.
—Wally Amos (b.1936) American Entrepreneur
Experience tells you what to do; confidence allows you to do it.
—Stan Smith (b.1946) American Sportsperson
Self-trust is the first secret of success.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
It is best to act with confidence, no matter how little right you have to it.
—Lillian Hellman (1905–84) American Playwright, Dramatist, Memoirist