Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
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
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
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
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 (1940–2023) American Actress, Singer
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
Nobody holds a good opinion of a man who has a low opinion of himself.
—Anthony Trollope (1815–82) English Novelist
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
A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
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
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
A man’s doubts and fears are his worst enemies.
—William Wrigley, Jr. (1861–1932) American Businessman
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
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
Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence.
—Vince Lombardi (1913–70) American Football Coach
Confidence … is directness and courage in meeting the facts of life.
—John Dewey (1859–1952) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Educator
Skill and confidence are an unconquered army.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
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
For they conquer who believe they can.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
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
Great poetry is always written by somebody straining to go beyond what he can do.
—Stephen Spender (1909–95) English Poet, Critic
As is our confidence, so is our capacity.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Only the person who has faith in himself is able to be faithful to others.
—Erich Fromm (1900–80) German-American Psychoanalyst, Social Philosopher
Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
—Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American Writer, Aphorist
Perhaps I am stronger than I think.
—Thomas Merton (1915–68) American Trappist Monk
It is best to act with confidence, no matter how little right you have to it.
—Lillian Hellman (1905–84) American Dramatist, Memoirist
Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
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
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