Swamiji revitalized the essence of Hinduism by simplifying the learnings in the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, Vedanta, Yoga (Raja Yoga+ Bhakti Yoga+ Jnana Yoga+ Karma Yoga) among others.
While he highlighted the sublime teachings of the scriptures, he also boldly denounced the superstitions, blind ritualism, priestcraft and other social evils that had seeped in to degrade many aspects of the Hindu society then. Further his fresh, contemporary and inspirational ideas on topics like Education, Spiritualism, Service, God, Atman, Moksha etc found a huge audience across the world.
Coming to Self confidence, Swami Vivekananda defined it as Man’s inherent faith in himself and his true glory.
He often cited the story of the lion who was raised with the sheep and hence believed he was one. Only when someone made him see his reflection, did he realize his true glory, as the undisputed King of the Jungle.
Similarly, he felt that humans live their lives in the shadow of fear like the sheep-cloaked lion. Only when they realize their Soul (Atman), dazzling like a regal Lion, do they realize the truth. That is to say that if they repose a little more faith (Self- confidence) in themselves, they could live like the brightest stars and the most glorious of kings.
Read the meaning of Gayatri mantra as per Swami Vivekananda’s as well as the powerful benefits of this Veda mantra.
1.Lack of confidence in oneself is equal to atheism
Swami Vivekananda quotes on Self confidence and Atheism
‘All such ideas as we can do this, or cannot do that are superstitious. We can do everything.’
‘Not believing in the glory of our own soul is what Vedanta calls atheism’
‘The old religion said that he was an atheist who does not believe in God. The new religion says that he is an atheist who does not believe in himself.’
‘It is not selfish faith, because the Vedanta is a doctrine of Oneness. It means faith in all, Because you are all.’
2. Lack of self confidence, the main cause of miseries
Swami Vivekananda quotes on Self confidence, its lack and misery
‘The ideal of faith in ourselves is of the greatest help to us.’
‘If faith had been more extensively taught and practiced, I am sure a very large portion of the evils and miseries that we have, would have vanished.’
Watch these short videos for Swami’s thoughts on Success and Concentration
3. Self Confidence is what differentiated great men and women
Swami Vivekananda quotes on Self confidence, producing great giants
‘Throughout history of mankind if any motive power has been more potent than another in the lives of all great men and women, it is that of faith in themselves.’
‘Born with the consciousness that they were to be great, they became great.’
‘We can see the difference between man and man is due to faith or no faith in himself’
4. When do we get pushed to have confidence in self?
Swami Vivekananda quotes on Self confidence and how it germinates in desperation
‘Let a man go down as low as possible, there must be a time when out of sheer desperation he will take an upward curve and will learn to have faith in himself.’
‘But it is better for us that we should know it from the very first. Why should we have all these bitter experiences in order to gain faith in ourselves.’
5. Self knowledge and Self Confidence
confidence and mans tremendous potential
‘He is the highest man who can say with truth, “I know all about myself”
‘Do you know how much energy, how many powers, how many forces are still lurking behind that frame of yours?’
‘What scientist has known all that is in man? Millions of years have passed since man came here, and yet but one infinitesimal part of his powers have been manifested.’
‘You must not say that you are weak, how do you know what possibilities lie behind that degradation on the surface?’
‘You know but little of that which is within you. For behind you is the ocean of infinite power and blessedness.’
6. Confidence in Self precedes Faith in God.
Swami Vivekananda quotes on Self confidence and Faith in God
‘Faith, Faith, Faith in ourselves. Faith, Faith, Faith in God, This is the secret of greatness’
‘If you have faith in all the 330 million of your mythological gods, and in all the gods which foreigners have now and again introduced in your midst, and still have no faith in yourselves, there is no salvation for you.’
7. Cynicism, Skepticism a disease…
Swami Vivekananda on how skepticism is the seed to negativity
‘Give up that awful disease that is creeping into our national blood, that idea of ridiculing everything, that loss of seriousness.’
‘Give that up. Be strong and have Shraddha and everything else is bound to follow.’
8. Self confidence and Fear
Swami Vivekananda quotes on Fear as a barrier to greatness
‘Be not afraid of anything . You will do marvelous work.’
‘The moment you fear, you are a nobody’
‘It is fear that is the great cause of misery in the world and it is fear that is the greatest of all superstitions!’
‘It is fear that is the cause of our woes and it is fearlessness that brings heaven even in a moment.’
9. Arise, Awake and Stop not till the goal is reached!
‘Therefore, Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached.’
10. How sheltering fear kills self confidence
Swami Vivekananda quotes on Fear is symbiotic with negative thoughts
If a man, day and night, thinks he is miserable, low and nothing, nothing he becomes
‘If you say yea, yea, ‘I am, I am”, so shall you be and if you say “I am not” think that you are not and day and night meditate upon the fact that you are nothing, Nothing you shall be’
11. The Source of confidence in oneself
Swami Vivekananda quotes on Self confidence and its relation to the divine essence of life
‘We are children of the Almighty, we are sparks of the infinite, divine fire. How can you be nothings?’
‘We are everything, ready to do everything, we can do everything and man must do everything.’
‘Fear naught, you are the essence of existence. Be at peace. Do not disturb yourself.’
12. Self confidence and ancestors
Swami Vivekanand quote on how the civilization rose
‘This faith in themselves was in the hearts of our ancestors, this faith in themselves was the motive power that pushed them forward and forward in the march of civilization.’
‘And if there has been degeneration, if there has been defect, you will find it to have started on the day our people lost faith in themselves.’
13. Remind self tirelessly that ‘Thou Art He’ : meaning God is within you
Swami Vivekananda quotes on Self confidence and recognizing the inner Divine
‘Losing faith in one’s self means losing faith in God.’
‘Do you believe in that Infinite good Providence working in and through you? If you believe that this Omnipresent One is present in every atom, is through and through, Ota-prota, as the Sankrit word goes penetrating your body, mind and soul, how can you lose heart?’
‘Say to your own minds, ‘I am He, I am He” let it ring day and night in your mind like a song, and the infinite strength of the world is yours.’
‘Know that thou art he and model your whole life accordingly, and he who knows this and models his life accordingly will no more grovel in darkness.’
‘Our first duty is not to hate ourselves, because to advance we must have faith in ourselves first and then in God. He who has no faith in himself can never have faith in God.’
14. Self confidence = Strength
Swami Vivekananda quotes on finding strength within
‘All the strength and succour you want is within yourselves. Therefore, make your own future.’
‘Have faith in yourselves and stand up on that faith and be strong; that is what we need.’
‘Faith in ourselves will do everything. It is great faith that will make the world better.
That’s all for now. Read all of Swami Vivekananda’ works here
Also check out 16 Inspiring Karma Bhagavad Gita quotes here, Top 25 Bhagavad Gita quotes for students here, Bhagavad Gita quotes on happiness, Om Chanting benefits here, Satyamev Jayate Mundaka Upanishad here, Sattva Rajas Tamas here, Love Bhagavad Gita quotes, How to increase willpower
