Experience tells you what to do; confidence allows you to do it.
—Stan Smith (b.1946) American Sportsperson
Skill and confidence are an unconquered army.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
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
Self-trust is the first secret of success.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
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
Never bend your head. Hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
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
Great poetry is always written by somebody straining to go beyond what he can do.
—Stephen Spender (1909–95) English Poet, Critic
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
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 (1934–2021) 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 (Ruth Crowley/Eppie Lederer)
Pride … is the direct appreciation of oneself.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
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
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
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
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
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
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 always thought I should be treated like a star.
—Madonna (b.1958) American Pop Singer, Actress
As is our confidence, so is our capacity.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Self-love is not so vile a sin as self-neglecting.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
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
Our self-conceit sustains, and always must sustain us.
—Samuel Butler (1835–1902) British Victorian Novelist, Essayist, 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
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
Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
It is best to act with confidence, no matter how little right you have to it.
—Lillian Hellman (1905–84) American Dramatist, Memoirist
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
Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence.
—Vince Lombardi (1913–70) American Football Coach
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 Orator, Politician, Secretary of State
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