Confident Vs. Egotistic

[PhuturePriest]

Mightn't someone like to shed light on what the noticeable difference is? I think I have a pretty good idea, but I'd like other opinions on confidence vs. ego.

[the171]

ego=pride=sinful

confidence=self-love(the good kind)=good

[PhuturePriest]

ego=pride=sinful

confidence=self-love(the good kind)=good

 

I realize this, yes. But I was looking more for actual examples.

 

Also, pride is not always a sin. For instance, a Priest once told me that "Taking pride in appearance is important." But good pride vs. bad pride is another thread altogether.

[Evangetholic]

People I like=confident

when they displease me=egotistical

[the171]

I realize this, yes. But I was looking more for actual examples.

 

Also, pride is not always a sin. For instance, a Priest once told me that "Taking pride in appearance is important." But good pride vs. bad pride is another thread altogether.

 

That's what I meant.

[Evangetholic]

I think it's all in the subjective feeling of the observer. The behaviors tend to be the same, but attributed (and actual?) interior motive varies.

[PhuturePriest]

I suppose I'll use this in karate terms, since karate has been a staple-point in my life and I've had black belts talk about their definitions of this.

 

The prideful student challenges a fellow student (Or even black belt) to spar with him, certain that he will win. He will brag a lot and speak much of his supposed amazing abilities. A confident student is meek and humble, and rarely speaks well of his abilities, and if challenged he walks into the fight confident in his abilities, knowing his strengths and weaknesses, whereas the prideful student believes he has no weaknesses. Invariably, knowing of your weaknesses helps you to conquer them, whereas dubiously believing you have none simply makes them more noticeable for everyone else to see.

Edited March 13, 2013 by FuturePriest387

[Evangetholic]

Good points I guess. I'm just not certain it'd ever be clear looking from the outside what was happening with someone. And on the inside I think we should be afraid of our virtues turning offensive to God by being married to pride.

[Nihil Obstat]

The difference is its orientation. Is it directed inward, or towards God?

 

Sinful pride - egoism - cannot be at peace. It pushes harder and farther to surpass others, not for the sake of God, not for bringing glory to God, but for itself. Sinful pride cannot rest with God, because God is not what it desires. It desires the pleasures and respect of the world. It is in direct opposition with humility. Humility is at peace with God. What it desires, it desires for the sake of God, not for its own sake. It is serene, because God provides, and because God lovingly accepts humility's love.

Egoism offers nothing and has nothing to offer to God. To egoism, God is an obstacle. Everything outside itself is an obstacle. It is inherently selfish. It wants glory for itself, at the expense of charity. It casts aside virtue and uses God's creation simply to further its own purposes. Humility takes only what is offered from God, knowing that everything ultimately belongs to Him.

 

True confidence is identical to humility. Egoism is simply selfish materialism.

[WillT]

Too much gin, not enough vermouth.

[Papist]

Key is to remain humble.

[ContemporaryCaflicCrusader]

The difference FP is you did it first.  

[ContemporaryCaflicCrusader]

The difference FP is you did it first.  

[LouisvilleFan]

Mightn't someone like to shed light on what the noticeable difference is? I think I have a pretty good idea, but I'd like other opinions on confidence vs. ego.

 

Coincidentally, Pope Francis seems to be an excellent example. Or St. Francis... all his major conversion moments required the kind of self-less confidence that's not common in the world, but clearly very inspiring.

 

I think of a confident person as one who acts and speaks with clarity and certainty; is mentally focused and decided. Someone who is confident and selfless can stand firm in their beliefs, serve others, teach and discipline effectively because their primary concern is the other person. They both go together, really.

 

In my own life, I struggled to build much confidence until my late 20s, and one of the realizations that's come to me is how a lack of confidence can be very selfish. It doesn't look selfish, but the person who mumbles, shuffles their feet, and can't make a decision is likely concerned about what others will think of them. That's an unhealthy egoism. In their self-interest, they hesitate from giving themselves to others. You can't serve as a good parent, teacher, or any kind of role model without confidence.

 

Of course, the flip side is an extreme of egoism that appears very confident, although at heart this form of acting out is often the same illness with different symptons.