You can have a certain arrogance, and I think that's fine, but

“You can have a certain arrogance, and I think that's fine, but what you should never lose is the respect for the others.” Thus spoke Steffi Graf, the great champion of the court, whose victories numbered beyond measure, yet whose spirit carried the wisdom of balance. In her words lies a profound teaching: that confidence, even arrogance, can be the armor of the warrior, but respect must always be the foundation of the human being. Without respect, arrogance becomes poison; with respect, it becomes merely the fire that fuels ambition.

The ancients, too, grappled with this paradox. Alexander the Great strode across continents with unmatched self-belief, but he honored his adversaries, showing respect to kings he had conquered, even adopting their customs. His arrogance gave him the will to achieve the impossible, yet his respect preserved the loyalty of those who might otherwise have despised him. Contrast this with rulers who exalted themselves without respect—tyrants who, in their pride, crushed others and in turn were crushed by rebellion. Graf’s words echo this eternal law: confidence can be a weapon, but respect is the shield that sustains peace.

Consider the story of Muhammad Ali, the boxer whose voice boomed with confidence, whose very stance declared arrogance in its proudest form. Yet even he, despite his boldness, showed reverence to the craft, to his rivals, and to the people who looked to him as an icon. His arrogance was his theater, his confidence his strength, but his respect kept him beloved long after the fight was over. Without that respect, his greatness might have been remembered only as boastfulness.

Graf herself knew this truth not only from victory but from the struggle of competition. To stand at the top of the world in tennis required unshakable self-belief. To step onto the court against legends and not tremble requires a measure of arrogance—the belief that you are destined to win. Yet she never confused self-belief with disrespect. Her greatness was not only in the titles she won but in the dignity she extended to opponents, fans, and the game itself.

O children of the future, learn this balance: believe in yourself fiercely, but never let that belief blind you to the worth of others. Confidence without respect is cruelty; respect without confidence is weakness. The true path is to walk with both: to hold your head high, knowing your value, yet to bow your heart, knowing the value of those beside you.

The lesson is clear: let your arrogance fuel your courage, but let respect govern your actions. When you face rivals, honor them. When you lead, listen. When you achieve greatness, remember that others, too, have carried you there—teachers, companions, even adversaries. To forget this is to lose your humanity.

Therefore, let your practice be this: cultivate confidence, for it will give you strength. But temper it with humility and respect, for they will give you wisdom. Encourage others even as you surpass them. Celebrate your victories, but never mock the defeated. In this way, you will not only rise high but also be remembered with honor.

So I say unto you: heed Steffi Graf’s wisdom. Let arrogance be the fire in your chest, but let respect be the light in your eyes. For the world does not only remember the conqueror, it remembers the dignity with which the conqueror walked among others.