Low self-esteem is like driving through life with your hand-break on.
—Maxwell Maltz (1899–1975) American Surgeon, Motivational Writer
He who despises himself nevertheless esteems himself as a self-despiser.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
Respect yourself if you would have others respect you. – Gracian, Baltasar
—Baltasar Gracian (1601–58) Spanish Scholar, Prose Writer
He that fancies himself very enlightened, because he sees the deficiencies of others, may be very ignorant, because he has not studied his own.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
The less a man thinks or knows about his virtues, the better we like him.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
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
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
We feel good about ourselves to the exact degree we feel in control of our lives.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
Better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing flawlessly.
—Robert H. Schuller (1926–2015) American Christian Televangelist, Author
I will give thanks to thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
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
We do not deal much in facts when we are contemplating ourselves.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
One is rated by others as he rates himself.
—French Proverb
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
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
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
It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the prerogative of mindlessness, but the exact opposite: It is the reward of self-esteem.
—Nathaniel Branden (1930–2014) American Psychotherapist
Most of the shadows of this life are caused by standing in our own sunshine.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
I am as bad as the worst, but, thank God, I am as good as the best.
—Walt Whitman (1819–92) American Poet, Essayist, Journalist, American, Poet, Essayist, Journalist
Whatever good things we build end up building us.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others.
—Buddhist Teaching
Love yourself unconditionally, just as you love those closest to you despite their faults.
—Les Brown
Trust yourself, then 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
He who gives himself airs of importance exhibits the credentials of impotence.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
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
We are valued in this world at the rate we desire to be valued.
—Jean de La Bruyere (1645–96) French Satiric Moralist, Author
Before everyone stands a image of what he ought to be. So long as he is not that his peace is not complete.
—Friedrich Ruckert (1788–1866) German Poet, Translator
Never say anything about yourself you do not want to come true.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker