All the extraordinary men I have known were extraordinary in their own estimation.
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) American Head of State
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
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
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
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
The hardest challenge is to be yourself in a world where everyone is trying to make you be somebody else.
—e. e. cummings (1894–1962) American Poet, Writer, Painter
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
Whatever good things we build end up building us.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
He that undervalues himself will undervalue others, and he that undervalues others will oppress them.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Think highly of yourself, for the world takes you at your own estimate.
—Unknown
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
Most of the shadows of this life are caused by standing in our own sunshine.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
The person we believe ourselves to be will always act in a manner consistent with our self-image.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
He who gives himself airs of importance exhibits the credentials of impotence.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.
—Lucille Ball (1911–89) American Actor, Comedian, Model
Low self-esteem is like driving through life with your hand-break on.
—Maxwell Maltz (1899–1975) American Surgeon, Motivational 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
A man who has been the indisputable favorite of his mother keeps for life the feeling of a conqueror.
—Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) Austrian Psychiatrist, Psychoanalytic
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
We feel good about ourselves to the exact degree we feel in control of our lives.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
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
If you aren’t good at loving yourself, you will have a difficult time loving anyone, since you’ll resent the time and energy you give another person that you aren’t even giving to yourself.
—Barbara De Angelis (b.1951) American Self-Help Author
Better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing flawlessly.
—Robert H. Schuller (1926–2015) American Christian Televangelist, Author
No one can disgrace us but ourselves.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
It is easy to live for others, everybody does. I call on you to live for yourselves.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Every man has a property in his own person. This nobody has a right to, but himself.
—John Locke (1632–1704) English Philosopher, Physician
The highest in God’s esteem are the lowest in their own.
—Thomas a Kempis (1379–1471) German Religious Priest, Writer
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
There comes a time in each life like a point of fulcrum. At that time you must accept yourself. It is not anymore what you will become. It is what you are and always will be.
—John Fowles (1926–2005) English Novelist
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American First Lady, Diplomat, Humanitarian
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