Catholic Info
Traditional Catholic Faith => Catholic Living in the Modern World => Topic started by: Gray2023 on January 25, 2026, 12:00:57 PM
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My husband and I were just discussing this topic and I thought this article was helpful in understanding the differences.
https://www.septembercfawkes.com/2020/09/arrogance-vs-confidence-humilty-vs-self.html
If some one has some Catholic sources to add or discussion points that would be great.
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My husband and I were just discussing this topic and I thought this article was helpful in understanding the differences.
https://www.septembercfawkes.com/2020/09/arrogance-vs-confidence-humilty-vs-self.html
If some one has some Catholic sources to add or discussion points that would be great.
This is a great article. I think a confident person doesn’t suffer with jealousy and wants everyone to succeed. As Catholics we thank God for our talents and pray we will use them wisely and to serve Him.
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So, there are lots of overlapping and messy concepts here.
At the end of the day, if one seeks the truth, and then realizes that the good in oneself comes from God (thereby not taking credit for it) and that all the bad in oneself comes from himself (accepting responsibility for it), that is the esence of the balance.
If you know of certain abilities, skills, and talents that you have, and are confident, that's simply the truth, as you know it. If you know of your sins and weaknesses, and it's true, or you believe it to be true, then you're humble.
If someone is confident, but recognizes that those talents, skills, and knowledge come from God, then there's no arrogance. If someone is humble, then the self-deprecation is genuine and true, and not merely the product of a false humility (which is secretly pride masquerading as humility, since it's not true).
Self-deprecation can be a complex thing. If rooted in truth, it's just an expression of humility. If not, then it's generally a secret form of pride, either because one is secretly taking pride on how humble one is or else one is such a perfectionist regarding himself than any falling short of perfection causes the individual distress, leading to beating up on oneself.
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I am reading about the gifts of the Holy Ghost, by Cardinal Edward Manning, "The Internal Mission of the Holy Ghost". What an eye opener. The 7 gifts covers so much, and hard to put the book down sometimes. I bought the book from Refuge of Sinners. I am ready to order another book and mail it to Scotland my family is there.