This is a quote from “A Room of One’s Own” by Virginia Woolf:
Life for both sexes —and I looked at them, shouldering their way along the pavement —is arduous, difficult, a perpetual struggle. It calls for gigantic courage and strength. More than anything, perhaps, creatures of illusion as we are, it calls for confidence in oneself. Without self-confidence we are as babes in the cradle. And how can we generate this imponderable quality, which is yet so invaluable, most quickly? By thinking that other people are inferior to one self. By feeling that one has some innate superiority —it may be wealth, or rank, a straight nose, or the portrait of a grandfather by Romney —for there is no end to the pathetic devices of the human imagination —over other people.
I don’t really have that much to say about it, other than I found it quite challenging. Why do I want superiority? Does it mean anything? Or am I just being pathetic? I think she puts across her view fantastically, and it really makes me reconsider my viewpoint.
I agree when Woolf says self-confidence is invaluable, but a sense of superiority is quite a flawed way of obtaining this. For a start, whatever you are good at or have lots of, there will always be someone out there who is better or has more, and it’s only a matter before you meet them. In my opinion, the only effective way of getting confidence is through love. If you receive love, you start to value yourself and stop doubting yourself. Instead of always looking inwards and needing help, you can look outwards and see how you can help others - hence, self confidence.
A good point. Although I think your own achievements, even if you are not the best, can help build your self confidence.