110 Best Self Confidence Quotes by Famous People

This post is all about quotes on self-confidence by famous personalities.

Girl walking like she's confident

 

As I’ve gotten older, my relationship with confidence has changed.

For a long time, I was worried about what other people thought of me. I also remember struggling with confidence on the basketball court as early as elementary school. 

I was always worried about what I looked like, and what others thought of my looks. This is still something I am working on, but something that has definitely gotten better at as I entered my late twenties.

As I type this out, it sounds so silly (and kind of sad!). And it reminds me of the classic quote by Olin Miller which says, “You probably wouldn’t worry about what people think of you if you could know how seldom they do.” 

In other words, you’re so worried about what people think, but other people think of you very little (they’re much more focused on themselves just like you’re more focused on yourself!). 

The good thing is that as time goes on (and I approach my 30s), I worry much less about what others think of me. 

I started to think that I only have this one life, and I wouldn’t be living it authentically if whether or not I did something was dependent on if I thought others would approve of it or not.

So nowadays, I strive to live true to myself and I strive to believe in and trust myself. Living authentically, believing in myself and trusting myself is what being confident means to me.

 

What is confidence in yourself?

The literal definition of confidence, according to Oxford Languages, is “a feeling of self-assurance arising from one’s appreciation of one’s own abilities or qualities.” 

All human beings struggle with their confidence from time to time, but how do some people have so much more confidence than others?

Many people say that in order to build confidence in yourself, you have to do hard things. By doing hard things, you show yourself that you are capable, and therefore, you feel more confident in yourself.

For example, let’s say you think running a marathon is difficult, but you train for one for many months and end up running one. 

Once you complete the race, you would likely gain a lot of confidence in your abilities to stay disciplined and consistent because you stuck to a training regimen for a certain amount of time and completed a difficult race thanks to your dedication. 

The more you can do hard things, the more you will believe in your abilities. 

 

Quotes on Self-Confidence by Famous Personalities

 

The following quotes are the best 110 quotes on self-confidence by famous personalities.

1. “One of the most important things you can accomplish is just being yourself.” – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

2. “Once you believe in who you are and who you were born to be, it can be very powerful.” – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

3. “If something stands between you and your success – move it. Never be denied.” – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

4. “What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?” – Vincent Van Gogh

5. “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” – Helen Keller

6. “You can be whatever size you are, and you can be beautiful both inside and out. We’re always told what’s beautiful and what’s not, and that’s not right.” – Serena Williams

7. “Dress like you are going to meet your worst enemy today.” – Coco Chanel

8. “Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.” – Thomas Jefferson

9. “People are going to judge you anyway, so you might as well do what you want.” – Taylor Swift

10. “Another day, another opportunity to prove everyone who doubts you wrong.” – Michael Jordan

11. “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

12. “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

13. “You must expect great things of yourself before you can do them.” – Michael Jordan

14. “I’m competitive with myself. I always try to push past my own borders.” – Tyra Banks

15. “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

16. “You have to remember the value of your individuality – that you have something special and different to offer that nobody else can.” – Jennifer Lopez

17. “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan

18. “Unique and different is the new generation of beautiful. You don’t have to be like everyone else.” – Taylor Swift

19. “It’s no good being too easily swayed by people’s opinions. You have to believe in yourself.” – Donatella Versace

20. “Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence.” – Vince Lombardi

 

Another day, another opportunity to prove everyone who doubts you wrong - Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan’s wise words on owning the day. (Pin me!)

 

21. “Believe in yourself. You are braver than you think, more talented than you know, and capable of more than you imagine.” – Roy T. Bennett

22. “If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.” – Vincent Van Gogh

23. “Stop saying these negative things about yourself. Look in the mirror and find something about yourself that’s positive and celebrate that!” – Tyra Banks

24. “I don’t care what you think of me. I don’t think of you at all.” – Coco Chanel

25. “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” – Vincent Van Gogh

26. “Confidence, I’d learned then, sometimes needs to be called from within. I’ve repeated the same words to myself many times now, through many climbs: ‘Am I good enough? Yes I am.'” – Michelle Obama

27. “With the realization of ones own potential and self-confidence in ones ability, one can build a better world.” – Dalai Lama

28. “As a black tennis player, I looked different. I sounded different. I dressed differently. I served differently. But when I stepped onto the court, I could compete with anyone.” – Serena Williams

29. “Your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude.” – Michelle Obama

30. “There is no man living who isn’t capable of doing more than he thinks he can do.” – Henry Ford

 

More quotes on self-confidence by famous personalities

 

31. “It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from. The ability to triumph begins with you – always.” – Oprah Winfrey

32. “It is confidence in our bodies, minds, and spirits that allows us to keep looking for new adventures.” – Oprah Winfrey

33. “Whenever you’re scared of something, don’t let that define you. We all feel it, but step up.” – Vince Vaughn

34. “According to my own experience, self-confidence is very important.” – Dalai Lama

35. “Being fearless isn’t being 100% not fearful; it’s being terrified, but you jump anyway.” – Taylor Swift

36. “To come from no voice, no power, and to be able to achieve what I have means that only my own personal vision holds me back.” – Oprah Winfrey

37. “All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure.” – Mark Twain

38. “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” – Maya Angelou

39. “I don’t have the best self-esteem; mine wavers month to month, but I know how to pick myself up.” – Tyra Banks

40. “Self-trust is the first secret of success.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

41. “Live! Live the wonderful life that is in you! Let nothing be lost upon you. Be always searching for new sensations. Be afraid of nothing.” – Oscar Wilde

42. “Be the hero of your own story.” – Joe Rogan

43. “When you love and accept yourself, when you know who really cares about you, and when you learn from your mistakes, then you stop caring about what people who don’t know you think.” – Beyonce 

44. “You don’t worry about being liked. You have to be yourself.” – Vince Vaughn

45. “I don’t want to have plastic surgery. I’m going to look like this forever. Deal with it. Once you deal with it, you feel more calm about it.” – Adele

46. “We all have our imperfections. But I’m human, and you know, it’s important to concentrate on other qualities besides outer beauty.” – Beyonce

47. “I don’t expect success. I prepare for it.” – Ryan Reynolds

48. “One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential.” – Maya Angelou

49. “I just want you to be yourself. Be a bigger yourself.” – Tyra Banks

 

I don't care what you think of me. I don't think of you at all. - Coco Chanel
Sassy self confidence quote by Coco Chanel. (Pin me!)

 

50. “Never love anyone who treats you like you’re ordinary.” – Oscar Wilde

51. “Doubt is a killer. You just have to know who you are and what you stand for.” – Jennifer Lopez

52. “What could we accomplish if we knew we could not fail?” – Eleanor Roosevelt

53.  “Strength does not come from physical capacity, it comes from an indomitable will.” – Mahatma Gandhi

54. “I’m ballsy. I have guts. I’m not afraid of anyone. I think that’s what makes me feel powerful.” – Adele

55. “Someone else’s success does not equal a failure for you.” – Joe Rogan

56. “Confidence is the most important single factor in this game, and no matter how great your natural talent, there is only one way to obtain and sustain it: work.” – Jack Nicklaus about golf

57. “It’s me, and I love me. I’ve learned to love me. I’ve been like this my whole life and I embrace me. I love how I look. I am a full woman and I’m strong, and I’m powerful, and I’m beautiful at the same time.” – Serena Williams

58. “Action is a high road to self-confidence and esteem.” – Bruce Lee

59. “Perfect is boring, human is beautiful.” – Tyra Banks

60. “In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.” – Coco Chanel

61. “You can be gorgeous at thirty, charming at forty, and irresistible for the rest of your life.” – Coco Chanel

62. “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” – Henry Ford

63. “I’ve learned there’s power deep down inside yourself, and you can find it when you don’t give up on yourself and when you ask for help.” – Selena Gomez

64. “I’m not perfect, but who are we kidding? Neither are you. And you wanna know what? I dig it!” – Vince Vaughn

65. “I now see how owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do.” – Brene Brown

66. “Am I the greatest? I don’t know. I’m the greatest that I can be.” – Serena Williams

67. “I’d rather regret the things I have done than the things that I haven’t.” – Lucille Ball

68. “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” – Maya Angelou

69. “Maybe there is more to a person than a body and a mind. Maybe something else figures into the mix— not a soul, exactly, but a spirit that hints you might one day be greater, stronger than you are now. A promise; a potential.” – Jodi Picoult

70. “Pledge that you will look in the mirror and find the unique beauty in you.” – Tyra Banks

 

Never bend your head quote by Helen Keller
Never be afraid of what lies before you. (Pin me!)

 

Motivational Quotes on Self Confidence by Famous People

 

71. “Confidence – It all has to do with how you feel about yourself – it’s about projecting the attitude, I’m happy with who I am.” – Jennifer Lopez

72. “I promise you that each and every one of you is made to be who you are and that’s what’s so attractive and beautiful.” – Selena Gomez

73. “You have competition every day because you set such high standards for yourself that you have to go out every day and live up to that.” – Michael Jordan

74. “The more we refuse to buy into our inner critics – and our external ones too – the easier it will get to have confidence in our choices, and to feel comfortable with who we are.” – Ariana Huffington

75. “There’s only one of you, so why would you want to look like everyone else? Why would you want to have the same hairstyle as everyone else and have the same opinions as everybody else?” – Adele

76. “All the people who knock me down, only inspire me to do better.” – Selena Gomez

77. “Make an obstacle an opportunity, make a negative a positive.” – Lance Armstrong

78. “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” – Michael Jordan

79. “Anything is possible. You can be told that you have a 90-percent chance or a 50-percent chance or a 1-percent chance, but you have to believe, and you have to fight.” – Lance Armstrong

80. “Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.” – Helen Keller

81. “The four Cs of making dreams come true: Curiosity, Courage, Consistency, Confidence.” – Walt Disney

82. “Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life.” – Golda Meir

83. “Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.” – Norman Vincent Peale

84. “We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face… we must do that which we think we cannot.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

85. “The world belongs to the people who say, ‘I can’.” – Russell Simmons

 

I'm ballsy quote by Adele the singer
Confidence quote by Adele. (Pin me!)

 

86. “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” – John Wooden

87. “It’s lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believed in myself.” – Muhammad Ali

88. “Confidence is key. Sometimes, you need to look like you’re confident even when you’re not.” – Vanessa Hudgens

89. “First thing every morning before you arise say out loud, I believe.” – Norman Vincent Peale

90. “Put blinders onto those things that conspire to hold you back, especially the ones in your own head.” – Meryl Streep

91. “I just think it’s good to be confident. If I’m not on my team why should anybody else be?” – Robert Downey, Jr. 

92. “Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.” – Lucille Ball

93. “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt

94. “Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.” – e.e. cummings

95. “Do the thing and you will have the power.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

96. “If you want to conquer fear, don’t sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” – Dale Carnegie

97. “Some people say I have attitude–maybe I do…But I think you have to. You have to believe in yourself when no one else does–that makes you a winner right there.” – Venus Williams

98. “I don’t focus on what I’m up against. I focus on my goals and I try to ignore the rest.” – Venus Williams

99. “The self-confidence one builds from achieving difficult things and accomplishing goals is the most beautiful thing of all.” – Madonna

100. “You must strive to find your own voice because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all.” – Robin Williams

 

Do the thing and you will have the power quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Doing hard things will bring you confidence. (Pin me!)

 

Inspirational Quotes on Self Confidence by Successful People

 

101. “In the end, it’s what feels right to you. Not what your mother told you. Not what some actress told you. Not what anybody else told you but the still, small voice.” – Meryl Streep

102. “Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we’re all in this together.” – Brene Brown. For more Brene Brown quotes on imperfection, check out this post.

103. “No matter what a woman looks like, if she’s confident, she’s sexy.” – Paris Hilton

104. “You’re always going to face criticism, you’re always going to face challenges, but those things are there to make you stronger and more committed.” – David Robinson

105. “If you develop the absolute sense of certainty that powerful beliefs provide, then you can get yourself to accomplish virtually anything, including those things that other people are certain are impossible.” – Tony Robbins. For more Tony Robbins quotes, check out this post.

106. “You gotta find that inner strength and just pull that s*** out of you. And get that motivation to not give up and not be a quitter, no matter how bad you wanna just fall on your face and collapse.” – Eminem

107. “The eyes of others our prisons; their thoughts our cages.” – Virginia Woolf

108. “Stop being afraid of getting older. With age comes wisdom and confidence.” – Robin Williams

109. “My advice: don’t waste so much time worrying about your skin or your weight. Develop what you do, what you put your hands on in the world.” – Meryl Streep

110. “A person’s self-esteem has nothing to do with how she looks.” – Halle Berry

 

Which quotes on self-confidence by famous personalities are your favorite?

 

Confidence Affirmations

If you want to take building your self-confidence one step further, try saying one or two of these confidence affirmations to yourself each day and whenever doubt starts to creep in.

Use these affirmations to help you refocus on your goals and watch your confidence level rise the more you use them.

 

1. I am enough.

2. I am capable of achieving everything that I have ever dreamed of.

3. There is only one of me.

4. Failure is just a chance to try again, but with a little more knowledge this time.

5. When I fail, I know I’m on the right track to success.

6. If it was easy, everyone could do it.

7. I believe in myself.

8. I will not give up.

9. Self doubt is natural, but I won’t let it consume me.

10. I will persist, even when doubts start to creep in, because I know what I’m capable of.

 

This post was all about quotes on self-confidence by famous personalities.

 

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