I have two specific people in my mind for this prompt. Both of them grew up quite similarly with playing sports all throughout school, getting recognized by their skills. Basically, they grew up being held up on a sort of pedestal if you will. What is interesting, is how both young men took that confidence and how differently they act today.

The older one, is very vocal about his accomplishments and himself in general. He is very much someone who pushes the boundary between confidence and egotistical if you know what I mean.

The younger one, is much more quiet about his professional accomplishments. In fact, you may not even know he had even been promoted, due to him not wanting to make a big deal about it.

When I find myself in the same room as both of these people, it becomes obvious right away which one seems to be the happiest. While the older one is preoccupied with catching everyone up with his life and getting into these ‘intelligent conversations’ that tend to lead to arguments, the younger one is sitting down and actually enjoying his time with his girlfriend and family.

Basically, the people I know who are actually confident are typically slow to boast about themselves. Likewise, the ones who are constantly bringing themselves up, typically put on a facade of false confidence, which is why they feel such a need to prove themselves.

Confidence without humility, is just ego and self-righteousness.