QuoteProject
The measure of self-assurance is how deeply and sincerely interested you are in others; the measure of insecurity is how much you try to impress them with you.
Mark Goulston
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Self-assurance is demonstrated through genuine interest in others, while insecurity leads to attempts to impress them.

This quote emphasizes that true self-confidence comes from being genuinely interested in the well-being of others rather than focusing on oneself. When we are secure in ourselves, we are able to listen, empathize, and connect with others without the need for validation or approval, whereas insecurity often manifests in an excessive desire to impress or outshine those around us.

Themes

Self-AssuranceInsecurityRelationshipsInterestImpression

In practice

Example use cases

In a team-building workshop, you might say this quote to illustrate the importance of genuine interest in team dynamics.

More from Mark Goulston

If you're fortunate, you'll meet people over the course of your career who exceed your expectations in every way. When you work or spend time with them, you find yourself wanting to be a better person.
Mark GoulstonRead
Why do people who consider themselves good communicators often fail to actually hear each other? Often it's due to a mismatch of styles: To someone who prefers to vent, someone who prefers to explain seems patronizing; explainers experience venters as volatile.
Mark GoulstonRead
PTSD occurs following a trauma that was so awful that in retrospect you don't understand how you survived. What that causes is an extreme feeling of vulnerability that you get past but that doesn't go away.
Mark GoulstonRead

Similar quotes

Good-Bye is an easy word to say but try saying it to a friend. If I never knew you, I'd be safe, but half as real, never knowing I could feel.
PocahontasRead
Integrity is important in building relationships. And is the foundation upon which many other qualities for success are built, such as respect, dignity, and trust.
John C. MaxwellRead
Between a Man and his Wife nothing ought to rule but Love. Believe nothing against another but on good authority; and never report what may hurt another, unless it be a greater hurt to some other to conceal it.
William PennRead
Countless mistakes in marriage, parenting, ministry, and other relationships are failures to balance grace and truth. Sometimes we neglect both. Often we choose one over the other.
Randy AlcornRead
Most African women are taught to endure abusive marriages. They say endurance means a good wife but most women endure abusive relationship because they are not empowered economically; they depend on their husbands.
Joyce BandaRead
I love being a wife and homemaker - because it's my choice. My husband doesn't expect me to do it. I don't mind doing things for him because he does so much for me; we both feel that way so there is no power struggle.
Salma HayekRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.