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According to Freud (who was speaking from experience, since he was his mother’s darling), spoiled children have a confidence that stays with them all their lives.

— Robert Greene The Art of Seduction (2001)

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Confidence

More quotes by Robert Greene

Admiration is the polar opposite of envy—we are acknowledging people’s achievements, celebrating them, without having to feel insecure.

The Laws of Human Nature (2018)

Always make those above you feel comfortably superior.

The 48 Laws of Power (1998)

Creating this feeling of validation is the golden key that will unlock people’s defenses. And we cannot survive and thrive in this highly competitive world without possessing such a power.

The Laws of Human Nature (2018)

Nothing is more seductive than a sense of destiny.

The Art of Seduction (2001)

Sadness of any sort is also seductive, particularly if it seems deep-rooted, even spiritual, rather than needy or pathetic—it makes people come to you.

The Art of Seduction (2001)

All Robert Greene quotes →

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The wise treat self-respect as non-negotiable, and will not trade it for health or wealth or anything else.

Thomas Szasz The Second Sin (1973)

Self-respect is the cornerstone of all virtue.

John Herschel A Toolbox for Humanity : More Than 9000 Years of Thought (2004)

Nothing is better for self-esteem than survival.

Martha Gellhorn Travels with Myself and Another: A Memoir (1978)

If you want to be respected by others the great thing is to respect yourself. Only by that, only by self-respect will you compel others to respect you.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky The Insulted and the Injured (1861)

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Robert Greene (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.