--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Self-confidence is not pride. Just the…" description: "\"Self-confidence is not pride. Just the contrary: only a person or a nation that is self-confident, in the best sense of the word, is capable of listeni..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/123/vaclav-havel-2013_accepting_self-confidence-is-not-pride-just-the-co_1512317.jpg" --- # Self-confidence is not pride. Just the contrary: only a… ![“Self-confidence is not pride. Just the contrary: only a person or a nation that is self-confident, in the best sense of the word, is capable of listening to others, accepting them as equals, forgiving its enemies and regretting its own guilt.” quote by Vaclav Havel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/123/vaclav-havel-2013_accepting_self-confidence-is-not-pride-just-the-co_1512317.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/123/vaclav-havel-2013_accepting_self-confidence-is-not-pride-just-the-co_1512317.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/123/vaclav-havel-2013_accepting_self-confidence-is-not-pride-just-the-co_1512317.jpg) > “Self-confidence is not pride. Just the contrary: only a person or a nation that is self-confident, in the best sense of the word, is capable of listening to others, accepting them as equals, forgiving its enemies and regretting its own guilt.” [Vaclav Havel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/) ## 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 allows listening, equality, forgiveness, and remorse, unlike pride which blinds. **In simple terms:** Confidence fosters humility and empathy. Key Takeaway Cultivate confidence, not arrogance. Themes humility confidence empathy forgiveness Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - leadership - conflict resolution - personal growth - team building Key Concepts political philosophy psychology ethics Questions to Reflect On - When does confidence become arrogance? - How does humility improve relationships? A Different Perspective Confidence can become overconfidence if unchecked. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accepting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accepting/) [Capable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capable/) [Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Confidence Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence-pride-1652572/) [Contrary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contrary/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Forgiving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiving/) [Guilt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guilt/) [Listening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listening/) [Listening to others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listening-to-others/) [Nation Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nation-self-3490959/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) [Regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regret/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-confidence/) [Self confident](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-confident/) ## Related quotes > [If America could be, once again, a nation of self-reliant farmers, craftsmen, hunters, ranchers, and artists, then the rich would have little power to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/if-america-could-be-once-again-a-nation-of-self-reliant-farmers/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [I am part of the sun as my eye is part of me. That I am part of the earth my feet know perfectly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence/i-am-part-of-the-sun-as-my-eye-is-part-of-me-that-i-am-part-of-the-2/) [D. H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence/) > [The foundation of a nation is self-aid, mutual aid and public aid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoshihide-suga/the-foundation-of-a-nation-is-self-aid-mutual-aid-and-public-aid/) [Yoshihide Suga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoshihide-suga/) > [“That Church according to Church is too brave, too cunning, and too good to be true is beside the point. America was destined to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-philbrick/that-church-according-to-church-is-too-brave-too-cunning-and-too-good/) [Nathaniel Philbrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-philbrick/) > [“It is easy to tell confidence from pride. Confidence lifts, encourages, helps, and is full of gratitude. Pride demeans, mocks, destroys, and is bitter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damon-throop/it-is-easy-to-tell-confidence-from-pride-confidence-lifts-encourages/) [Damon Throop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damon-throop/) > [“Naturally, the plague of humanity named confidence (or pride to some), which symptoms often render each person to fiercely believe himself to be above…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-crown/naturally-the-plague-of-humanity-named-confidence-or-pride-to-some/) [Bruce Crown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-crown/) > [“an opportunity falls into your lap, accept it with confidence and pride, knowing that you've earned it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-condren/an-opportunity-falls-into-your-lap-accept-it-with-confidence-and/) [Debra Condren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-condren/) > [Swagger is walking-the-walk. With Confidence, and Pride.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-jay-taylor/swagger-is-walking-the-walk-with-confidence-and-pride/) [T Jay Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-jay-taylor/) > [“There is a really great difference between confidence and pride. When you’re confident, it’s like, “I can do this.” But when you’re proud, it’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aakanksha-kesarwani/there-is-a-really-great-difference-between-confidence-and-pride-when/) [Aakanksha Kesarwani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aakanksha-kesarwani/) > [You don't need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bindi-irwin/you-don-t-need-to-be-accepted-by-others-you-need-to-accept-yourself/) [Bindi Irwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bindi-irwin/) > [“Stop comparing yourself with others. If they are good at something, you too are good at something else. Self-confidence is not measured by your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-richards/stop-comparing-yourself-with-others-if-they-are-good-at-something-you/) [Stephen Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-richards/) > [“Self care, self love. Self esteem, self confidence”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/self-care-self-love-self-esteem-self-confidence/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Gone are the days when 19-inch biceps would once command respect. A Jedi doesn’t walk around with their arms flexed and with a thousand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-richards/gone-are-the-days-when-19-inch-biceps-would-once-command-respect-a/) [Stephen Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-richards/) > [“Jedi are always assessing situations, actions and possibilities. Jedi don’t just think outside of the box with the help from the Force, they also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-richards/jedi-are-always-assessing-situations-actions-and-possibilities-jedi/) [Stephen Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-richards/) > [“Self-confident people face their fears head-on and are willing to take risks.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/self-confident-people-face-their-fears-head-on-and-are-willing-to/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) ## More by Vaclav Havel > [I am convinced that we will never build a democratic state based on rule of law if we do not at the same time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/i-am-convinced-that-we-will-never-build-a-democratic-state-based-on/) [Vaclav Havel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/) > [People who live in the post-totalitarian system know only too well that the question of whether one or several political parties are in power,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/people-who-live-in-the-post-totalitarian-system-know-only-too-well/) [Vaclav Havel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/) > [“For by this very fact, individuals confirm the system, fulfill the system, make the system, are the system.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/for-by-this-very-fact-individuals-confirm-the-system-fulfill-the/) [Václav Havel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/) > [Hope is not a feeling of certainty that everything ends well. Hope is just a feeling that life and work have a meaning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/hope-is-not-a-feeling-of-certainty-that-everything-ends-well-hope-is/) [Vaclav Havel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/) > [This is a confusing and uncertain period, when a thousand wise words can go completely unnoticed, and one thoughtless word can provoke an utterly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/this-is-a-confusing-and-uncertain-period-when-a-thousand-wise-words/) [Vaclav Havel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/) > [If by believing you mean praying to an anthropomorphic deity who created the world and half controls it and half observes it, then I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/if-by-believing-you-mean-praying-to-an-anthropomorphic-deity-who/) [Vaclav Havel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/) > [Human beings are compelled to live within a lie, but they can be compelled to do so only because they are in fact capable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/human-beings-are-compelled-to-live-within-a-lie-but-they-can-be/) [Vaclav Havel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/) > [Our country, if that is what we want, can now permanently radiate love, understanding, the power of the spirit and of ideas. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/our-country-if-that-is-what-we-want-can-now-permanently-radiate-love/) [Vaclav Havel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/) > [I cannot imagine that I could strive for something if I did not carry hope in me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/i-cannot-imagine-that-i-could-strive-for-something-if-i-did-not-carry/) [Vaclav Havel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/) > [People, your Government has returned to you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/people-your-government-has-returned-to-you/) [Vaclav Havel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/) > [A person who has been seduced by the consumer value system, whose identity is dissolved in an amalgam of the accouterments trappings of mass…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/a-person-who-has-been-seduced-by-the-consumer-value-system-whose/) [Vaclav Havel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/) > [Whether all is really lost or not depends entirely on whether or not I am lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/whether-all-is-really-lost-or-not-depends-entirely-on-whether-or-not/) [Vaclav Havel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/) > [Sober perseverance is more effective than enthusiastic emotions, which are all too capable of being transferred, with little difficulty, to something different each day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/sober-perseverance-is-more-effective-than-enthusiastic-emotions-which/) [Vaclav Havel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/) > [The exercise of power is determined by thousands of interactions between the world of the powerful and that of the powerless, all the more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/the-exercise-of-power-is-determined-by-thousands-of-interactions/) [Vaclav Havel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/) > [It's not true that you should first think up an idea for a better world and only then "put it into practice," but, rather,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/it-s-not-true-that-you-should-first-think-up-an-idea-for-a-better/) [Vaclav Havel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/) [Explore all 190 Vaclav Havel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/) ## More Accepting quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [Laughing, laughing, laughing, laughing! It is the jester! A voice from the Void, to cheer poor Cicero! I accept your gift, dearest Night Mother.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/laughing-laughing-laughing-laughing-it-is-the-jester-a-voice-from-the/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [This duo inside of me causes the perfect opportunity to live and learn twice as fast as those who choose to accept simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/this-duo-inside-of-me-causes-the-perfect-opportunity-to-live-and/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [It takes an unusually philosophic mind to accept that all one’s suffering might be to no end, really, in the larger scheme of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-takes-an-unusually-philosophic-mind-to-accept-that-all-one-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No nation being under another nation can accept gifts, and kick at the responsibility attached to those gifts, imposed by the conquering nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/no-nation-being-under-another-nation-can-accept-gifts-and-kick-at-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Even with clothing naked animals, there were people who wanted to send in money. A woman in Santa Barbara, California, sent a $40,000 check.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-abel/even-with-clothing-naked-animals-there-were-people-who-wanted-to-send/) [Alan Abel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-abel/) > [Society understands the architecture of academia and knows there are relevant qualifications in different fields, and the media accepts the idea of specialisations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-griffiths/society-understands-the-architecture-of-academia-and-knows-there-are/) [Jay Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-griffiths/) > [Whatever your conscious mind assumes and believes to be true, your subconscious mind will accept and bring to pass. Believe in good fortune, divine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murphy/whatever-your-conscious-mind-assumes-and-believes-to-be-true-your/) [Joseph Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murphy/) > [Losing someone is easy, but accepting it is hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/losing-someone-is-easy-but-accepting-it-is-hard/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [… and so he tried to accept the ache in his heart as what Dr. Larch would call the common symptoms of normal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/and-so-he-tried-to-accept-the-ache-in-his-heart-as-what-dr-larch/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [I think what was special about 'Music by Prudence' was the classic story of the title subject's life path - from being an outcast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-think-what-was-special-about-music-by-prudence-was-the-classic/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [As my films are born at the moment when they are reflected into another person's mind and memories, there are no misconceptions. I totally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pirjo-honkasalo/as-my-films-are-born-at-the-moment-when-they-are-reflected-into/) [Pirjo Honkasalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pirjo-honkasalo/) [Browse all 6,788 Accepting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accepting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Self-confidence is not pride. Just the contrary: only a person or a nation that is self-confident, in the best sense of the word, is capable of listening to others, accepting them as equals, forgiving its enemies and regretting its own guilt.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Vaclav Havel" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/self-confidence-is-not-pride-just-the-contrary-only-a-person-or-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Accepting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/self-confidence-is-not-pride-just-the-contrary-only-a-person-or-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/123/vaclav-havel-2013_accepting_self-confidence-is-not-pride-just-the-co_1512317.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/123/vaclav-havel-2013_accepting_self-confidence-is-not-pride-just-the-co_1512317.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/123/vaclav-havel-2013_accepting_self-confidence-is-not-pride-just-the-co_1512317.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Self-confidence is not pride. Just the contrary: only a person or a nation that is self-confident, in the…” — Vaclav Havel", "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": "Vaclav Havel", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Self-confidence is not pride. Just the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/self-confidence-is-not-pride-just-the-contrary-only-a-person-or-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/self-confidence-is-not-pride-just-the-contrary-only-a-person-or-a/#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 } } ] } ```