Conceit or self-doubt - which is worse?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

Is it worse to think too highly of yourself, or is it worse to think too little of yourself?

[DarkPhenyx]

1. Conceit will at least keep you moving and doing.

Self doubt will paralyze you and prevent you from doing anything of worth.

[GOPisEvil]

2. Agreed.

I know from doing battle with self-doubt many a time.

Conceit might make you some enemies, but if you aren't concerned about that, and if you are conceited you probably aren't, then it's not that big of a deal.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

3. Doing yes - but doing the right thing?

I'd rather someone were paralyzed with self-doubt than confident enough to commit evil.


Take for example, George Bush - he certainly doesn't seem to suffer from self-doubt.

[DarkPhenyx]

4. One of my guiding mottos has always been...

...if you find yourself trapped and running in circles make a move, a change. It might not be the right move, but at least you will have made a decision, and it is far easier to correct your direction once you are moving again.

[gyopsy]

5. Over self-confidence is arrogance

And that makes me sick. I'd much rather deal with someone who has low self esteem. I mean that can be sickening too but I've known a lot of really great people over the years who have been under confident.

Arrogance on the other hand is a trait shared by Hitler and shrub and many other people I hate.

[dawn]

6. Definitely conceit.

It may be good for you, but it's bad for those who have to live (and work) around you!

[amazona]

7. the conceited cause most of the world's ills

There is little doubt to my mind. People who have self-doubt are more cautious and more human. They dare to consider the possibility that they might be wrong. They think things through. They do not dart out into traffic and then shoot you the bird after almost killing you. They do not dart out into imperialist adventures and then blame Bill Clinton.

It is the so-called confident people who do most of the world's evil. We used to call it arrogance, and I wish we'd get rid of this entire insane worship of "confidence." People who are overly confident are unpleasant company, they are unsafe drivers, they are the mad politicians and the unthinking nationalists who believe that if they're on a team, then it must always be right.

Balance is important but if one must have a flaw, better to be a bit self-doubting than to be a conceited pig.

[SOteric]

8. Neither.

Conceit can be irritating to others and can cause one to lose friendships one otherwise might have made. But it can also keep on motivated and encourage positive contribution.

Self-doubt can hobble one socially, but tends to be perceived more endearingly by those with whom one does manage to interact. And Self-doubt is the foundation for most constructive personal evolution.

I see both has having a down side and an upside, and that makes them fairly well matched in my opinion.