Success
You should be cautioned, however, to learn the difference
between Self-confidence, which is based upon sound knowledge of what you
know and what you can do, and egotism, which is only based upon
what you wish you knew or could do.
Learn the difference between these two terms or you will make
yourself boresome, ridiculous and annoying to people of culture and
understanding. Self-confidence is something which should never be
proclaimed or announced except through intelligent performance of
constructive deeds.
If you have Self-confidence those around you will discover this fact. Let them make the discovery. They will feel proud of their alertness in having made the discovery, and you will be free from the suspicion of egotism. Opportunity never stalks the person with a highly developed state of egotism, but brick-bats and ugly remarks do.
Opportunity forms affinities much more easily and quickly with Self-confidence than it does with egotism. Self-praise is never a proper measure of self-reliance. Bear this in mind and let your Self-confidence speak only through the tongue of constructive service rendered without fuss or flurry.
Self-confidence is the product of knowledge. Know yourself, know how much you know (and how little), why you know it, and how you are going to use it. "Four-flushers" come to grief, therefore, do not pretend to know more than you actually do know. There's no use of pretense, because any educated person will measure you quite accurately after hearing you speak for three minutes. What you really are will speak so loudly that what you "claim" you are will not be heard.
If you heed this warning the last four pages of this one
lesson may mark one of the most important turning-points of your life.
Believe in yourself, but do not tell the world what you can do - SHOW IT!
You are now ready for Lesson Four, which will take you the next step up the
Ladder of Success.
DISCONTENTMENT An After-the-Lesson Visit With the Author
The marker stands at the Entrance Gate of Life and writes "Poor Fool" on the brow of the wise man and "Poor Sinner" on the brow of the saint.