---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Self-confidence should be applied to…"
description: "\"Self-confidence should be applied to wholesome actions, Overcoming of delusions and my ability to overcome them. Thinking, 'I alone shall do it' Is the..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/246/shantideva-10592_ability_self-confidence-should-be-applied-to-who_938555.jpg"
---

#  Self-confidence should be applied to wholesome actions…

![“Self-confidence should be applied to wholesome actions, Overcoming of delusions and my ability to overcome them. Thinking, 'I alone shall do it' Is the self-confidence of action.” quote by Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/246/shantideva-10592_ability_self-confidence-should-be-applied-to-who_938555.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/246/shantideva-10592_ability_self-confidence-should-be-applied-to-who_938555.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/246/shantideva-10592_ability_self-confidence-should-be-applied-to-who_938555.jpg)

> “Self-confidence should be applied to wholesome actions, Overcoming of delusions and my ability to overcome them. Thinking, 'I alone shall do it' Is the self-confidence of action.”

[Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

True self‑confidence arises from purposeful, ethical actions, not egoistic delusion; it fuels disciplined effort.

**In simple terms:** Self‑confidence through wholesome action.

Key Takeaway

Act ethically and confidently.

Themes

ethics action self‑discipline

Mood

serene determined

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- spiritual practice
- community service
- personal goals

Key Concepts

mindfulness purpose inner strength

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you ensure your confidence serves others?
- What actions reflect your values?

A Different Perspective

Confidence without moral grounding can lead to arrogance.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Delusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delusion/) [Esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/esteem/) [Overcoming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overcoming/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-confidence/) [Self esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-esteem/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/)

## Related quotes

> [When a country has the skill and self-confidence to take action against its biggest problems, it makes outsiders eager to be a part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/when-a-country-has-the-skill-and-self-confidence-to-take-action/)

[Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/)

> [“As long as I shall live I shall always be My Self-and no other, Just Me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-de-la-mare/as-long-as-i-shall-live-i-shall-always-be-my-self-and-no-other-just-me/)

[Walter de la Mare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-de-la-mare/)

> [As long as I live I shall always be My Self - and no other, Just me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-de-la-mare/as-long-as-i-live-i-shall-always-be-my-self-and-no-other-just-me/)

[Walter de La Mare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-de-la-mare/)

> [Confidence applied properly is the path of genius. You must always be in a state of confidence. And the way you sustain a state…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tyson/confidence-applied-properly-is-the-path-of-genius-you-must-always-be/)

[Mike Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tyson/)

> [Confidence breeds success &amp; success breeds confidence... Confidence applied properly surpasses genius.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tyson/confidence-breeds-success-success-breeds-confidence-confidence/)

[Mike Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tyson/)

> [Beauty is self-confidence applied directly to the face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/beauty-is-self-confidence-applied-directly-to-the-face/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Those desiring to escape from suffering hasten right toward suffering. With the very desire for happiness, out of delusion they destroy their own happiness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/those-desiring-to-escape-from-suffering-hasten-right-toward-suffering/)

[Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/)

> [It is a great delusion to suppose that flesh-meat of any kind is essential to health. Considerably more than three parts of the work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-booth/it-is-a-great-delusion-to-suppose-that-flesh-meat-of-any-kind-is/)

[Catherine Booth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-booth/)

> [Atheism Explained is a gem. It is clear, informative, well-argued, provocative, often witty, and unfailingly interesting. David Ramsay Steele ranges over so many issues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-shearmur/atheism-explained-is-a-gem-it-is-clear-informative-well-argued/)

Jeremy Shearmur

> [“we shouldn’t surrender our real world perception to a false reality too much or we may suffer the inevitable consequences of deluded thinking. Technology…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-p-neary/we-shouldn-t-surrender-our-real-world-perception-to-a-false-reality/)

M.P. Neary

> [The world is a wonderfully weird place, consensual reality is significantly flawed, no institution can be trusted, certainty is a mirage, security a delusion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-world-is-a-wonderfully-weird-place-consensual-reality-is/)

[Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/)

> [The Science Delusion is the belief that science already understands the nature of reality in principle leaving only the details to be filled in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-sheldrake/the-science-delusion-is-the-belief-that-science-already-understands/)

[Rupert Sheldrake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-sheldrake/)

> [ It's \[Los Angeles\] mostly full of nonsense and delusion and egomania. They think they'll be young and beautiful forever, even though most of them… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/it-s-los-angeles-mostly-full-of-nonsense-and-delusion-and-egomania/)

[Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/)

> [If the idea of having to change ourselves makes us uncomfortable, we can remain as we are. We can choose rest over labour, entertainment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/if-the-idea-of-having-to-change-ourselves-makes-us-uncomfortable-we/)

[Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/)

> [Getting rid of a delusion makes us wiser than getting hold of a truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-borne/getting-rid-of-a-delusion-makes-us-wiser-than-getting-hold-of-a-truth/)

[Ludwig Borne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-borne/)

## More by Shantideva

> [Instead of trying to cover the whole world with leather, put on some sandals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/instead-of-trying-to-cover-the-whole-world-with-leather-put-on-some/)

[Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/)

> [In the ages marked by scarcity and want, may I myself appear as drink and sustenance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/in-the-ages-marked-by-scarcity-and-want-may-i-myself-appear-as-drink/)

[Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/)

> [All the suffering in the world comes from seeking pleasure for oneself. All the happiness in the world comes from seeking pleasure for others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/all-the-suffering-in-the-world-comes-from-seeking-pleasure-for/)

[Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/)

> [Examine thus yourself from every side. Note harmful thoughts and every futile striving. Thus it is that heroes in the bodhisattva path Apply the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/examine-thus-yourself-from-every-side-note-harmful-thoughts-and-every/)

[Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/)

> [All those who slight me to my face, Or do me any other evil, Even if they blame or slander me, May they attain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/all-those-who-slight-me-to-my-face-or-do-me-any-other-evil-even-if/)

[Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/)

> [Why be unhappy about something if it can be remedied? And what is the use of being unhappy about something if it cannot be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/why-be-unhappy-about-something-if-it-can-be-remedied-and-what-is-the/)

[Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/)

> [Those desiring to escape from suffering hasten right toward suffering. With the very desire for happiness, out of delusion they destroy their own happiness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/those-desiring-to-escape-from-suffering-hasten-right-toward-suffering/)

[Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/)

> [It is not possible to control all external events; But, if I simply control my mind what need is there to control other things?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/it-is-not-possible-to-control-all-external-events-but-if-i-simply/)

[Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/)

> [The source of all happiness lies in thinking of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/the-source-of-all-happiness-lies-in-thinking-of-others/)

[Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/)

> [“We hate suffering, but love it’s causes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/we-hate-suffering-but-love-it-s-causes/)

[Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/)

> [It is natural for the immature to harm others. Getting angry with them is like resenting a fire for burning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/it-is-natural-for-the-immature-to-harm-others-getting-angry-with-them/)

[Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/)

> [“May the blind see the forms, May the deaf hear sounds. May the naked find clothing, The hungry find food; May the thirsty find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/may-the-blind-see-the-forms-may-the-deaf-hear-sounds-may-the-naked/)

[Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/)

> [What need is there to say more? The childish work for their own benefit, The Buddhas work for the benefit of others. Just look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/what-need-is-there-to-say-more-the-childish-work-for-their-own/)

[Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/)

> [The renunciation of doing harm is the perfection of discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/the-renunciation-of-doing-harm-is-the-perfection-of-discipline/)

[Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/)

> [In joy and sorrow all are equal, Thus be guardian of all, as of yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/in-joy-and-sorrow-all-are-equal-thus-be-guardian-of-all-as-of-yourself/)

[Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/)

[Explore all 63 Shantideva quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/)

## More Ability quotes

> [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/)

[Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/)

> [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/)

[Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/)

> [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/)

[Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/)

> [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/)

[Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/)

> [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/)

[Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/)

> [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/)

[Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/)

> [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/)

[Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/)

> [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/)

[Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/)

> [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/)

[Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/)

> [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/)

[Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/)

> [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/)

[Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/)

> [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/)

[Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/)

> [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/)

[Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/)

[Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Self-confidence should be applied to wholesome actions, Overcoming of delusions and my ability to overcome them. Thinking, 'I alone shall do it' Is the self-confidence of action.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Shantideva"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/self-confidence-should-be-applied-to-wholesome-actions-overcoming-of/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Ability"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/self-confidence-should-be-applied-to-wholesome-actions-overcoming-of/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/246/shantideva-10592_ability_self-confidence-should-be-applied-to-who_938555.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/246/shantideva-10592_ability_self-confidence-should-be-applied-to-who_938555.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/246/shantideva-10592_ability_self-confidence-should-be-applied-to-who_938555.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Self-confidence should be applied to wholesome actions, Overcoming of delusions and my ability to overcome…” — Shantideva",
                "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": "Shantideva",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Self-confidence should be applied to wholesome...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/self-confidence-should-be-applied-to-wholesome-actions-overcoming-of/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/self-confidence-should-be-applied-to-wholesome-actions-overcoming-of/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
