Unlock Your Real Inner Potential

Self-confidence lifts a person upward, while self-deception distances them from their own self

By Abdullah Usman Morai | Sweden

This world is filled with two kinds of people: those who have genuine confidence in themselves and those who live in an illusion of false belief. On the surface, both traits appear similar, for both kinds of people walk with their heads held high. Yet, between them lies a delicate line, one that leads a person toward progress, and the other that pushes them toward destruction.

Self-Confidence: Faith Built on Reality

Self-confidence is the strength that allows a person to believe in their own abilities, preparation, and experience. It does not rest upon delusion, stubbornness, or ego, but upon effort, awareness, and experience.

A self-confident person is willing to admit their mistakes. They treat criticism as a source of learning and acknowledge their weaknesses, striving to correct them. They know what they can and cannot do, and therefore take responsibility only for what they are genuinely prepared for.

Self-confidence gives a person the courage to face new challenges because they believe that even if they fail, they will learn from that failure and emerge stronger and wiser. This belief is born from awareness of reality and self-knowledge, the kind of recognition in which one understands both their limits and their strengths.

Self-Deception: The Illusion Shaped by Ego

Self-deception, on the other hand, is a psychological state that arises from inner fear and ego. It pushes a person into an artificial world where they try to hide their flaws and appear superior to others.

A self-deceptive person constantly tries to prove that they are better than everyone else. They never admit mistakes and, when they fail, they blame others. Such a person avoids new knowledge or criticism, fearing that it might collapse the fragile castle of illusion they have built around themselves.

The foundation of such thinking lies in unrealistic ideas, dependency on external validation, and denial of reality. As a result, self-deception prevents learning. It traps a person in a cage where the door to progress is shut, and the web of self-admiration is spread all around.

The Fine Line: Acceptance of Reality

The greatest difference between self-confidence and self-deception lies in the acceptance of reality.

For example, A confident person says, “I can do this task, but if I cannot, I will learn from it and move forward.”

Whereas a self-deceptive person says, “I can do this task, and if I fail, it must be the task’s fault, not mine.”

This difference may seem small, but its impact on life is enormous. On one side lies truth, learning, humility, and growth; on the other, pride, illusion, and downfall.

Psychological and Social Dimensions

Self-confidence is a healthy psychological condition that creates balance in a person’s character, whereas self-deception is a form of psychological escape that distances one from reality.

At the social level, when individuals, institutions, or even nations stop acknowledging their flaws, collective self-deception emerges. In such a state, everyone begins to consider themselves infallible, and the possibility of change disappears.

In our society, many people tend to seek the causes of their failures outside themselves, a clear sign of a lack of honesty within.

Honesty with Oneself: The Path to Liberation

The greatest remedy for self-deception is honesty with oneself. A person who can hear the truth within will never fall into self-deception. True self-confidence is not about showing strength, but about recognizing one’s inner weaknesses and strengths and working on them with sincerity.

A confident person competes not with others, but with themselves. They live in truth, learning, and peace, whereas a self-deceptive person becomes increasingly hollow inside while endlessly chasing superficial success.

In the end, self-confidence uplifts a person, while self-deception drags them down. On one side stand awareness, effort, and truth; on the other, arrogance, illusion, and deceit.

The Real Test of Life

The real test of life is to maintain a balance between the two, to believe in oneself without losing touch with reality. A person who accepts their truth, remains honest about their flaws, and works diligently on their abilities not only achieves success but also preserves their dignity.

And within that lies the true wisdom of life.

“Self-confidence lifts a person upward, while self-deception distances them from their own self.”

Read: The Philosophy of Conscious Seclusion

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Abdullah Soomro, penname Abdullah Usman Morai, hailing from Moro town of Sindh, province of Pakistan, is based in Stockholm Sweden. Currently he is working as Groundwater Engineer in Stockholm Sweden. He did BE (Agriculture) from Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam and MSc water systems technology from KTH Stockholm Sweden as well as MSc Management from Stockholm University. Beside this he also did masters in journalism and economics from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur Mirs, Sindh. He is author of a travelogue book named ‘Musafatoon’. His second book is in process. He writes articles from time to time. A frequent traveler, he also does podcast on YouTube with channel name: VASJE Podcast.