Self-confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings.

“Self-confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings.” Thus spoke Samuel Johnson, the wise lexicographer and philosopher of the eighteenth century — a man who wrestled with poverty, illness, and doubt, yet rose to become one of the towering intellects of his age. His words are simple, but they strike like a hammer upon the anvil of the soul. He teaches that before the sword is forged, before the voyage begins, before destiny is met — there must be belief in oneself. Without it, all knowledge, talent, and opportunity lie dormant like seeds buried in stone.

To understand the depth of this saying, one must know the man who uttered it. Samuel Johnson was no stranger to hardship. He was born into modest means, beset by ill health and melancholy, mocked for his awkward speech and appearance. Yet, through these shadows, he carried a flame — a steadfast faith in the worth of his own mind. He believed that no man could conquer the world until he first conquered fear within. And so, through self-confidence, he carved his path, penning works that shaped the English tongue and earned him immortality. His life is the proof of his own creed: that courage of spirit precedes greatness of deed.

In his saying, Johnson reveals a law as old as time: before triumph comes trust — trust in oneself. The warrior does not charge into battle doubting his strength; the sailor does not set sail fearing the sea. The builder, before raising walls of stone, must raise within himself a wall of resolve. For what is self-confidence but the soul’s declaration that it is worthy of the struggle? The timid heart hesitates at the threshold of greatness; the brave heart steps forward and makes the impossible possible. Without that first step of belief, the road to glory remains forever unseen.

History itself bears witness to this truth. Consider Joan of Arc, the peasant girl who dared to believe that her voice, untrained and unknown, could change the fate of France. She faced kings and soldiers, fire and mockery — yet her self-confidence, rooted in faith, moved armies and crowned monarchs. Though the world called her mad, she called herself chosen. And indeed, it was her belief — not her birth, not her armor — that made her mighty. Her life teaches us that when one’s heart is sure, even destiny bows before conviction.

But self-confidence is not arrogance. It is not the boast of the fool who mistakes noise for strength. It is the quiet assurance of one who has measured his weaknesses, yet dares to act nonetheless. It is the bridge between fear and faith, built not by denying failure, but by walking through it. True confidence is born from preparation, humility, and endurance. It is the voice that says, “Though I have fallen, I will rise again — for I am not done.” This is the confidence that Johnson praised, for it kindles persistence and silences despair.

And so, let us not think that great undertakings are reserved for the mighty alone. Each soul carries its own mountain to climb, its own battle to fight. Whether you dream of shaping nations or simply shaping a better self, the first step remains the same: believe you can. The stars are not reached by strength alone, but by the hand that dares to reach for them. The world yields its treasures not to those who wait, but to those who trust in the power of their own spirit.

Therefore, my children, heed this teaching: nurture your self-confidence as you would a sacred flame. Feed it with effort, protect it from doubt, and let no wind of failure extinguish it. Speak kindly to yourself, as you would to a friend. Walk upright, even when the path is uncertain. For every great work — every invention, discovery, and act of courage — was first born in the heart of one who said, “I will.” And so must you.

For in the end, self-confidence is not the crown of achievement — it is the seed of it. Without it, no dream may bloom; with it, even the smallest soul may shake the world. Remember, as Samuel Johnson taught, that the greatest battles are fought first within — and once the heart has conquered doubt, there is nothing it cannot do.