--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Of all the traps and pitfalls in life…" description: "\"Of all the traps and pitfalls in life, self-disesteem is the deadliest, and the hardest to overcome: for it is a pit designed and dug by our own hands,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d9/maxwell-maltz-3463_cybernetics_of-all-the-traps-and-pitfalls-in-life-se_3221401.png" --- # Of all the traps and pitfalls in life, self-disesteem is… ![“Of all the traps and pitfalls in life, self-disesteem is the deadliest, and the hardest to overcome: for it is a pit designed and dug by our own hands, summed up in the phrase, 'It's no use - I can't do it.'” quote by Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d9/maxwell-maltz-3463_cybernetics_of-all-the-traps-and-pitfalls-in-life-se_3221401.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d9/maxwell-maltz-3463_cybernetics_of-all-the-traps-and-pitfalls-in-life-se_3221401.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d9/maxwell-maltz-3463_cybernetics_of-all-the-traps-and-pitfalls-in-life-se_3221401.png) > “Of all the traps and pitfalls in life, self-disesteem is the deadliest, and the hardest to overcome: for it is a pit designed and dug by our own hands, summed up in the phrase, 'It's no use - I can't do it.'” [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑esteem is a self‑created trap that blocks achievement and happiness. **In simple terms:** Low self‑esteem blocks success. Key Takeaway Build confidence, challenge negative self‑talk. Themes self‑esteem psychology personal growth Mood frustrated hopeful Type motivational psychological When to use this quote - career advancement - relationships - public speaking - health goals - creative projects Key Concepts mindset self‑belief cognitive distortion Questions to Reflect On - What evidence disproves your “can’t” belief? - How can you reframe failure? A Different Perspective Overcoming self‑esteem often requires external support and time. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cybernetics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cybernetics/) [Disesteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disesteem-6057273/) [Disesteem Deadliest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disesteem-deadliest-6057272/) [Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands/) [Hardest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hardest/) [Hardest Overcome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hardest-overcome-2889836/) [I can](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-can/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Overcome Pit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overcome-pit-6057274/) [Overcoming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overcoming/) [Phrases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phrases/) [Pitfalls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pitfalls/) [Pits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pits/) [Psycho cybernetics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psycho-cybernetics/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self Disesteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-disesteem-6057271/) [Self esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-esteem/) [Traps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/traps/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) ## Related quotes > [“Of all the forces in the universe, the hardest to overcome is the force of habit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/of-all-the-forces-in-the-universe-the-hardest-to-overcome-is-the/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [... money trials are not the hardest, and somehow or other, they are always overcome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amelia-barr/money-trials-are-not-the-hardest-and-somehow-or-other-they-are-always/) [Amelia Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amelia-barr/) > [Get yourself a goal worth working for. Better still, get yourself a project.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/get-yourself-a-goal-worth-working-for-better-still-get-yourself-a/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [We are injured and hurt emotionally, Not so much by other people or what they say and don't say, But by our own attitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/we-are-injured-and-hurt-emotionally-not-so-much-by-other-people-or/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [An idea accepted as true from any source can be every bit as powerful as hypnosis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/an-idea-accepted-as-true-from-any-source-can-be-every-bit-as-powerful/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [It is an old psychological axiom that constant exposure to the object of fear immunizes against the fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/it-is-an-old-psychological-axiom-that-constant-exposure-to-the-object/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [Live in the present. The past is gone; the future is unknown - but the present is real, and your opportunities are now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/live-in-the-present-the-past-is-gone-the-future-is-unknown-but-the/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [Happiness isn't something that happens to you. It is what you yourself do and determine upon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/happiness-isn-t-something-that-happens-to-you-it-is-what-you-yourself/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [Emptiness is a symptom that you are not living creatively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/emptiness-is-a-symptom-that-you-are-not-living-creatively/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [Close scrutiny will show that most of these everyday socalled “crisis situations” are not life-or-death matters at all, but opportunities to either advance, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/close-scrutiny-will-show-that-most-of-these-everyday-socalled-crisis/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [Loneliness is caused by an alienation from life. It is a loneliness from your real self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/loneliness-is-caused-by-an-alienation-from-life-it-is-a-loneliness/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [Within you right now is the power to do things you never dreamed possible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/within-you-right-now-is-the-power-to-do-things-you-never-dreamed-2/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [This is where you will win the battle - in the playhouse of your mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/this-is-where-you-will-win-the-battle-in-the-playhouse-of-your-mind/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [Study the situation thoroughly, go over in your imagination the various courses of action possible to you and the consequences which can and may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/study-the-situation-thoroughly-go-over-in-your-imagination-the/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [Failure feelings - fear, anxiety, lack of self-confidence - do not spring from some heavenly oracle. They are not written in the stars. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/failure-feelings-fear-anxiety-lack-of-self-confidence-do-not-spring/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) ## More by Maxwell Maltz > [This Creative Mechanism within you is impersonal. It will work automatically and impersonally to achieve goals of success and happiness, or unhappiness and failure,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/this-creative-mechanism-within-you-is-impersonal-it-will-work/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [Your automatic guidance system cannot guide you when you're stalled, “standing still”.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/your-automatic-guidance-system-cannot-guide-you-when-you-re-stalled/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [You can do only one thing at a time. I simply tackle one problem and concentrate all efforts on what I am doing at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/you-can-do-only-one-thing-at-a-time-i-simply-tackle-one-problem-and/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [Within you, whoever you may be, regardless of how big a failure you may think yourself to be, is the ability and the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/within-you-whoever-you-may-be-regardless-of-how-big-a-failure-you-may/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [Successful people are able to rise above crises by relaxing no matter what the external situation. Their belief in themselves, the strength of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/successful-people-are-able-to-rise-above-crises-by-relaxing-no-matter/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [Functionally, a man is somewhat like a bicycle. A bicycle maintains its poise and equilibrium only so long as it's moving forward towards something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/functionally-a-man-is-somewhat-like-a-bicycle-a-bicycle-maintains-its/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [Faith, courage, optimism, looking forward, bring us new life and more life. Futility, frustration, living in the past are not only characteristic of 'old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/faith-courage-optimism-looking-forward-bring-us-new-life-and-more/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [If you make friends with yourself you will never be alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/if-you-make-friends-with-yourself-you-will-never-be-alone/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [People who say that life is not worthwhile are really saying that they themselves have no personal goals which are worthwhile. Prescription: Get yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/people-who-say-that-life-is-not-worthwhile-are-really-saying-that/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [Take the trouble to stop and think of the other person's feelings, his viewpoints, his desires and needs. Think more of what the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/take-the-trouble-to-stop-and-think-of-the-other-person-s-feelings-his/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [Your present negative beliefs were formed by thought PLUS feelings. Generate enough emotion, or deep feeling and your new thoughts and ideas will cancel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/your-present-negative-beliefs-were-formed-by-thought-plus-feelings/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [The greatest miracle you can hope for is self-acceptance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/the-greatest-miracle-you-can-hope-for-is-self-acceptance/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [Get yourself a goal worth working for. Better still, get yourself a project.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/get-yourself-a-goal-worth-working-for-better-still-get-yourself-a/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [For imagination sets the goal picture which our automatic mechanism works on. We act, or fail to act, not because of will, as is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/for-imagination-sets-the-goal-picture-which-our-automatic-mechanism/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [If you wait until circumstances justify your thinking pleasant thoughts, you are likely to wait forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/if-you-wait-until-circumstances-justify-your-thinking-pleasant/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) [Explore all 130 Maxwell Maltz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) ## More Cybernetics quotes > [“What I have said about the newspapers and the movies applies equally to the radio, to television, and even to bookselling. Thus we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norbert-wiener/what-i-have-said-about-the-newspapers-and-the-movies-applies-equally/) [Norbert Wiener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norbert-wiener/) > [“There is reason to fear that men love better to investigate how muslins, hay-rakes, and, above all and inclusive of all, money may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fitz-hugh-ludlow/there-is-reason-to-fear-that-men-love-better-to-investigate-how/) [Fitz Hugh Ludlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fitz-hugh-ludlow/) > [“Pick up a pinecone and count the spiral rows of scales. You may find eight spirals winding up to the left and 13 spirals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-kauffman/pick-up-a-pinecone-and-count-the-spiral-rows-of-scales-you-may-find/) [Stuart Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-kauffman/) > [The Encyclopedia Galactica defines a robot as a mechanical apparatus designed to do the work of a man. The marketing division of the Sirius…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-adams/the-encyclopedia-galactica-defines-a-robot-as-a-mechanical-apparatus/) [Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-adams/) > [Something of the previous state, however, survives every change. This is called in the language of cybernetics (which took it form the language of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-davenport/something-of-the-previous-state-however-survives-every-change-this-is/) [Guy Davenport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-davenport/) > [The aliens on this planet are also attempting to clone or replicate the human form artificially. Their original form, being humanoid, cannot pass the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-tsarion/the-aliens-on-this-planet-are-also-attempting-to-clone-or-replicate/) [Michael Tsarion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-tsarion/) > [Study the situation thoroughly, go over in your imagination the various courses of action possible to you and the consequences which can and may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/study-the-situation-thoroughly-go-over-in-your-imagination-the/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [the science of control and communication in the animal and the machine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norbert-wiener/the-science-of-control-and-communication-in-the-animal-and-the-machine/) [Norbert Wiener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norbert-wiener/) > [Cybernetics is NOT the banana.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinz-von-foerster/cybernetics-is-not-the-banana/) [Heinz von Foerster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinz-von-foerster/) > [“Our metaphors for the operation of the brain are frequently drawn from the production line. We think of the brain as a glorified sausage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-grand/our-metaphors-for-the-operation-of-the-brain-are-frequently-drawn/) [Steve Grand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-grand/) > [This is where you will win the battle - in the playhouse of your mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/this-is-where-you-will-win-the-battle-in-the-playhouse-of-your-mind/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [Within you right now is the power to do things you never dreamed possible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/within-you-right-now-is-the-power-to-do-things-you-never-dreamed-2/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [To many of us now, computers, silicon chips, data processing, cybernetics, and all the other innovations of the dawning high technology age are as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/to-many-of-us-now-computers-silicon-chips-data-processing-cybernetics/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [“There is nothing distinctively scientific about the hypothetico-deductive process. It is not even distinctively intellectual. It is merely a scientific context for a much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-b-medawar/there-is-nothing-distinctively-scientific-about-the-hypothetico/) [Peter B. Medawar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-b-medawar/) > [Loneliness is caused by an alienation from life. It is a loneliness from your real self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/loneliness-is-caused-by-an-alienation-from-life-it-is-a-loneliness/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) [Browse all 55 Cybernetics quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cybernetics/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Of all the traps and pitfalls in life, self-disesteem is the deadliest, and the hardest to overcome: for it is a pit designed and dug by our own hands, summed up in the phrase, 'It's no use - I can't do it.'", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Maxwell Maltz" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/of-all-the-traps-and-pitfalls-in-life-self-disesteem-is-the-deadliest/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cybernetics" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/of-all-the-traps-and-pitfalls-in-life-self-disesteem-is-the-deadliest/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d9/maxwell-maltz-3463_cybernetics_of-all-the-traps-and-pitfalls-in-life-se_3221401.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d9/maxwell-maltz-3463_cybernetics_of-all-the-traps-and-pitfalls-in-life-se_3221401.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d9/maxwell-maltz-3463_cybernetics_of-all-the-traps-and-pitfalls-in-life-se_3221401.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Of all the traps and pitfalls in life, self-disesteem is the deadliest, and the hardest to overcome: for it…” — Maxwell Maltz", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Maxwell Maltz", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Of all the traps and pitfalls...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/of-all-the-traps-and-pitfalls-in-life-self-disesteem-is-the-deadliest/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/of-all-the-traps-and-pitfalls-in-life-self-disesteem-is-the-deadliest/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```