Confidence Quotes from Bhagavad Gita
Stop self-doubt instantly. Find confidence-building quotes hidden in the Bhagavad Gita's most empowering verses.
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When you're standing at the edge of a major decision or facing your deepest fears, confidence isn't just helpful - it's essential. The Bhagavad Gita speaks directly to this human need, offering profound wisdom about where true confidence comes from. Not the fleeting kind that depends on success or approval, but the unshakeable confidence that emerges from understanding who you really are.
In this collection of quotes from the Bhagavad Gita, we explore how Lord Krishna guides Arjuna - and through him, all of us - toward authentic self-assurance. These aren't just ancient words. They're living teachings about overcoming self-doubt, finding inner strength, and standing firm in your truth. Each quote reveals a different aspect of confidence, from detachment from results to recognizing your eternal nature.
We'll journey through 15 powerful verses that address confidence from multiple angles. You'll discover what Lord Krishna says about fear, self-doubt, inner strength, and the source of unshakeable confidence. Let's explore how these timeless teachings can transform your relationship with confidence itself.
"Do not yield to unmanliness, O son of Pritha. It does not become you. Shake off this base faint-heartedness and arise, O scorcher of enemies!" - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
क्लैब्यं मा स्म गम: पार्थ नैतत्त्वय्युपपद्यते |क्षुद्रं हृदयदौर्बल्यं त्यक्त्वोत्तिष्ठ परन्तप ||
English Translation:
Do not yield to unmanliness, O son of Pritha. It does not become you. Shake off this base faint-heartedness and arise, O scorcher of enemies!
This powerful quote from Chapter 2, Verse 3 marks a turning point in Arjuna's journey from paralysis to action.
Lord Krishna doesn't sugarcoat His message. He directly challenges Arjuna's moment of weakness.
The word "unmanliness" here doesn't refer to gender. It points to a state of being overcome by emotion rather than guided by wisdom. When Lord Krishna says "it does not become you," He's reminding Arjuna - and us - of our true nature. We aren't meant to live in fear or hesitation. Our essence is strength itself.
Notice how Lord Krishna addresses Arjuna as "scorcher of enemies." Even in Arjuna's lowest moment, Krishna sees his true capability. This is profound. True confidence comes not from denying our moments of weakness, but from remembering our fundamental strength even within them.
The phrase "base faint-heartedness" reveals something crucial about confidence.
When we're ruled by fluctuating emotions, our confidence wavers too. One moment we feel capable, the next we're drowning in doubt. Lord Krishna calls this state "base" because it keeps us operating from our lowest potential rather than our highest truth.
"Arise" isn't just about physical action. It's about rising above the emotional storms that cloud our vision. Real confidence emerges when we can observe our emotions without being controlled by them. This quote teaches us that confidence isn't about never feeling weak - it's about not letting weakness define our actions.
"You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन |मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ||
English Translation:
You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.
Perhaps no other quote from the Bhagavad Gita has revolutionized how we understand confidence like this one from Chapter 2, Verse 47.
Most of us tie our confidence to outcomes. If we succeed, we feel confident. If we fail, confidence crumbles.
Lord Krishna completely flips this equation. He says your right is to the action, not the result. This isn't about lowering expectations or not caring. It's about finding a source of confidence that can't be shaken by external circumstances.
When you detach from results, something remarkable happens. The fear of failure loses its grip. You can act with full commitment because your self-worth isn't on the line with every action. This is revolutionary. Your confidence becomes rooted in your ability to act according to your values, not in whether those actions produce the desired outcome.
The word "right" here is powerful. It's not just permission - it's your fundamental claim to action.
Nobody can take away your right to do what you believe is correct. This alone should fill us with confidence. External circumstances might limit options, but they can't touch your essential right to choose your response. When you truly understand this, confidence becomes your natural state.
Lord Krishna also warns against the flip side - becoming attached to inaction. Sometimes we avoid acting because we're afraid of failing. But this quote reminds us that confidence doesn't come from avoiding challenges. It comes from engaging with them while staying detached from how they turn out.
"Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
योगस्थ: कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय |सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्यो: समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते ||
English Translation:
Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga.
Building directly on the previous teaching, this quote from Chapter 2, Verse 48 reveals the secret to unshakeable confidence.
Equanimity means remaining balanced whether you experience success or failure. This isn't indifference - it's stability.
Think about it. If your confidence swings wildly based on outcomes, you're always at the mercy of circumstances. One bad day can destroy weeks of built-up confidence. But when you cultivate equanimity, your confidence has deep roots. It doesn't get inflated by success or crushed by failure.
Lord Krishna calls this state "yoga." Not the physical postures we often associate with the word, but the original meaning - union, connection, balance. When you're established in this balanced state, confidence isn't something you have to generate. It's simply there, like breathing.
Abandoning attachment doesn't mean not caring. It means not letting your identity get tangled up in outcomes.
You can want success. You can work hard for it. But your sense of self doesn't depend on achieving it. This creates a paradox - when you're less attached to success, you often become more successful. Why? Because you can take bigger risks, make bolder decisions, and recover faster from setbacks.
This quote shows us that real confidence isn't about guaranteeing success. It's about knowing you'll be okay regardless of what happens. That's a game-changer. When failure loses its sting, you're free to play full out in life.
"O son of Kunti, the contacts between the senses and the sense objects give rise to happiness and distress. These are like winter and summer seasons. They arise and then disappear. Therefore, O descendant of Bharata, tolerate them." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदु:खदा: |आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत ||
English Translation:
O son of Kunti, the contacts between the senses and the sense objects give rise to happiness and distress. These are like winter and summer seasons. They arise and then disappear. Therefore, O descendant of Bharata, tolerate them.
This wisdom from Chapter 2, Verse 14 offers a unique perspective on building lasting confidence.
Lord Krishna uses a perfect analogy - seasons. Nobody panics when winter comes because we know spring will follow.
The same principle applies to our experiences. That crushing failure? It's winter. That moment of triumph? It's summer. Both will pass. When you truly grasp this, your confidence gains a steady quality. You stop being thrown around by every change in circumstances.
This isn't about becoming numb to experience. It's about developing perspective. When you know that both good and bad times are temporary, you can engage fully with life without being devastated by its downs or intoxicated by its ups. Your confidence rests on something deeper than circumstances.
The word "tolerate" here doesn't mean passive endurance. It means maintaining your center while experiences come and go.
Think of a mountain. Seasons change around it - snow covers it, sun beats down on it, storms rage against it. But the mountain remains. This is the kind of confidence Lord Krishna points us toward. Not the kind that needs perfect conditions, but the kind that can weather any season.
When you develop this tolerance, something shifts. You stop needing life to be a certain way for you to feel confident. Bad news doesn't shake you as much. Good news doesn't make you arrogant. You've found a confidence that exists independent of what's happening around you.
"In this world, there is nothing so purifying as knowledge. One who has attained perfection in yoga finds it within himself in due course of time." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते |तत्स्वयं योगसंसिद्ध: कालेनात्मनि विन्दति ||
English Translation:
In this world, there is nothing so purifying as knowledge. One who has attained perfection in yoga finds it within himself in due course of time.
This profound quote from Chapter 4, Verse 38 reveals the ultimate source of confidence - self-knowledge.
Lord Krishna isn't talking about information or facts. He means knowledge of your true nature.
Most confidence issues stem from not knowing who we really are. We identify with our roles, achievements, or failures. But these are all temporary costumes we wear. When you know your essential nature - consciousness itself - confidence becomes as natural as breathing.
This knowledge is "purifying" because it clears away false ideas about yourself. Every limiting belief, every self-doubt, every fear is based on misunderstanding your true identity. As these misconceptions fall away, what remains is pure confidence - not arrogance, but a quiet certainty about your place in existence.
Notice Lord Krishna says this knowledge is found "within himself." Not from outside validation or achievements.
This is crucial. Real confidence is an inside job. You can collect degrees, accumulate wealth, or gain recognition, but if you're looking outside for confidence, it will always be fragile. The moment external support disappears, so does your confidence.
But when you find this knowledge within, you've discovered an inexhaustible source of confidence. It's always there, always accessible. No one can take it away. No circumstance can diminish it. This is why Lord Krishna calls it supreme - it's confidence that depends on nothing outside yourself.
"One must elevate oneself by one's own mind, and not degrade oneself. The mind alone is the friend of the conditioned soul, and also the enemy." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् |आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मन: ||
English Translation:
One must elevate oneself by one's own mind, and not degrade oneself. The mind alone is the friend of the conditioned soul, and also the enemy.
This powerful teaching from Chapter 6, Verse 5 puts the responsibility for confidence squarely in our own hands.
Lord Krishna reveals a fundamental truth - you are your own best asset or worst enemy.
Think about your internal dialogue. Is it building you up or tearing you down? Most people are harsher on themselves than they'd ever be to a friend. But this quote reminds us that we have the power to choose. Your mind can be trained to support your confidence rather than sabotage it.
The word "elevate" is key. It's an active process. You don't wait for confidence to happen to you. You consciously lift yourself up through your thoughts, choices, and self-talk. This isn't about fake positivity. It's about choosing interpretations and perspectives that empower rather than diminish you.
"One must elevate oneself" - notice Lord Krishna doesn't say others will elevate you.
This is both challenging and liberating. Challenging because you can't blame anyone else for your lack of confidence. Liberating because it means you don't need anyone else's permission to be confident. The power is entirely in your hands.
When your mind becomes your friend, confidence follows naturally. You stop second-guessing yourself. You trust your judgment. You give yourself the same support you'd give a good friend. This internal friendship is the foundation of lasting confidence. Without it, even massive external validation feels hollow.
"In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
नेहाभिक्रमनाशोऽस्ति प्रत्यवायो न विद्यते |स्वल्पमप्यस्य धर्मस्य त्रायते महतो भयात् ||
English Translation:
In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.
This encouraging quote from Chapter 2, Verse 40 offers hope to anyone struggling with confidence.
Lord Krishna makes an extraordinary promise here. Every effort you make toward growth counts. Nothing is wasted.
This changes everything about how we approach confidence-building. Usually, we think we need massive changes to feel confident. We set huge goals, fail to reach them, and feel worse than before. But this quote says even tiny steps forward matter. They accumulate. They can't be taken away.
Imagine if every small act of courage, every moment you chose growth over comfort, added to an unbreakable bank account of confidence. That's what Lord Krishna describes. Your efforts compound. A small victory today makes tomorrow's challenge a little easier. This is how lasting confidence is built - not in giant leaps, but in consistent small steps.
"A little advancement... can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear." This is profound.
The most dangerous fear is the fear of being inadequate, of not being enough. It paralyzes us. It keeps us from even trying. But Lord Krishna says even small progress on the path of self-discovery can defeat this monster.
Why? Because action breaks the spell of fear. When you take even a tiny step forward, you prove to yourself that movement is possible. That proof is more powerful than any amount of thinking or planning. Each small advancement builds evidence that you're capable of growth. That evidence becomes the foundation of real confidence.
"Every endeavor is covered by some fault, just as fire is covered by smoke. Therefore, one should not give up the work born of one's nature, O son of Kunti, even if such work is full of fault." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत् |सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण धूमेनाग्निरिवावृता: ||
English Translation:
Every endeavor is covered by some fault, just as fire is covered by smoke. Therefore, one should not give up the work born of one's nature, O son of Kunti, even if such work is full of fault.
This liberating wisdom from Chapter 18, Verse 48 addresses one of confidence's biggest obstacles - perfectionism.
Lord Krishna's fire and smoke analogy is perfect. Have you ever seen fire without smoke? It's impossible.
Yet we expect our actions to be flawless. We wait for perfect conditions, perfect skills, perfect timing. This perfectionism kills confidence before it can bloom. But Lord Krishna says imperfection is built into the very nature of action. Accepting this truth is liberating.
When you know that every endeavor will have flaws, you stop using imperfection as an excuse not to act. You stop being surprised by problems. Instead of seeing faults as signs you shouldn't proceed, you see them as natural companions to any worthwhile effort. This shift is huge for confidence.
Lord Krishna specifically mentions not abandoning work that aligns with your nature.
This points to something deep. True confidence comes from being authentic, not perfect. When you try to be someone you're not, confidence always feels forced. But when you act according to your nature - even imperfectly - there's a natural ease and confidence.
Your nature-born work will have faults. So what? The fire still gives light and warmth despite the smoke. Your imperfect action, aligned with who you are, contributes more than perfect action that goes against your grain. This understanding lets you move forward with confidence, smoke and all.
"It is better to perform one's own dharma imperfectly than to perform another's dharma perfectly. It is better to die in one's own dharma; another's dharma is fraught with danger." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुण: परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् |स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेय: परधर्मो भयावह: ||
English Translation:
It is better to perform one's own dharma imperfectly than to perform another's dharma perfectly. It is better to die in one's own dharma; another's dharma is fraught with danger.
This bold statement from Chapter 3, Verse 35 cuts to the heart of authentic confidence.
We live in a world of constant comparison. Social media shows us people excelling in their paths, and we wonder if we should follow them.
But Lord Krishna warns against this. Why? Because confidence built on being someone else is always shaky. You're always one step behind, always comparing, always feeling inadequate. But when you follow your own dharma - your own nature and duty - confidence has solid ground.
Even if you stumble on your path, you're still moving forward authentically. That authenticity breeds a confidence that perfectionism in someone else's path never could. You stop apologizing for who you are. You stop trying to fit into molds that weren't made for you.
Lord Krishna uses strong language - another's path is "fraught with danger." Why so serious?
Because living someone else's life is a betrayal of your own potential. It might look safer to follow a proven path, but it slowly erodes your confidence in your own judgment, your own values, your own unique contribution.
Think about it. When you force yourself into roles that don't fit, every success feels hollow. You might achieve things, but they don't satisfy because they're not aligned with who you are. This creates a confidence crisis. External success paired with internal emptiness. Lord Krishna's quote protects us from this trap.
"One whose mind is not disturbed by miseries, who has no desires for happiness, who is free from attachment, fear and anger, is called a sage of steady mind." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
दु:खेष्वनुद्विग्नमना: सुखेषु विगतस्पृह: |वीतरागभयक्रोध: स्थितधीर्मुनिरुच्यते ||
English Translation:
One whose mind is not disturbed by miseries, who has no desires for happiness, who is free from attachment, fear and anger, is called a sage of steady mind.
This description from Chapter 2, Verse 56 paints a picture of ultimate confidence.
Notice Lord Krishna doesn't say the confident person doesn't experience miseries. They're just not disturbed by them.
This is a crucial distinction. Life will bring challenges. That's guaranteed. But confidence comes from knowing you can face whatever comes without being shaken at your core. It's not about avoiding problems but about maintaining your center when they arrive.
This kind of stability doesn't happen overnight. It's built through practice, through facing small disturbances and learning you can handle them. Each time you remain steady through difficulty, your confidence deepens. You start trusting your ability to navigate any storm.
Lord Krishna lists three specific freedoms - from attachment, fear, and anger. These are confidence killers.
Attachment makes you desperate. You need specific outcomes to feel okay about yourself. Fear paralyzes you. You won't take necessary risks. Anger clouds your judgment. You react instead of responding. When these three lose their grip, natural confidence emerges.
Freedom doesn't mean you never experience these emotions. It means they don't control you. You might feel fear but act anyway. You might prefer certain outcomes but remain confident regardless of results. This is the steady mind Lord Krishna describes - not emotionless, but no longer at the mercy of emotions.
"One who is not elated by attaining pleasant things nor disturbed by the unpleasant, who is steady in intelligence and unbewildered, such a knower of Brahman is already situated in transcendence." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
न प्रहृष्येत्प्रियं प्राप्य नोद्विजेत्प्राप्य चाप्रियम् |स्थिरबुद्धिरसम्मूढो ब्रह्मविद् ब्रह्मणि स्थित: ||
English Translation:
One who is not elated by attaining pleasant things nor disturbed by the unpleasant, who is steady in intelligence and unbewildered, such a knower of Brahman is already situated in transcendence.
This advanced teaching from Chapter 5, Verse 20 shows confidence at its highest level.
Most of us ride an emotional rollercoaster. Good news sends us soaring. Bad news crashes us down.
But Lord Krishna describes a different way. True confidence maintains equilibrium through both pleasant and unpleasant experiences. This isn't about suppressing joy or pretending pain doesn't hurt. It's about not letting either extreme throw you off balance.
When pleasant things don't elate you excessively, you avoid the inevitable crash when they end. When unpleasant things don't disturb you deeply, you maintain the clarity to respond effectively. This emotional stability is the hallmark of unshakeable confidence.
The phrase "steady intelligence" points to discrimination - knowing what's eternal and what's temporary.
Most confidence issues come from identifying with temporary things. Your job, your relationships, your achievements - all these change. If your confidence depends on them, it's always vulnerable. But when intelligence becomes steady in understanding your true nature, confidence finds an unshakeable foundation.
This doesn't mean worldly things don't matter. It means your core confidence doesn't depend on them. You can engage fully with life, celebrate successes and learn from failures, while maintaining an inner stability that nothing can touch. This is confidence in its most mature form.
"As rivers flow into the ocean but cannot make the ocean overflow, so too all desires flow into the person of steady wisdom, but they cannot disturb such a person, who remains peaceful." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
आपूर्यमाणमचलप्रतिष्ठं समुद्रमाप: प्रविशन्ति यद्वत् |तद्वत्कामा यं प्रविशन्ति सर्वे स शान्तिमाप्नोति न कामकामी ||
English Translation:
As rivers flow into the ocean but cannot make the ocean overflow, so too all desires flow into the person of steady wisdom, but they cannot disturb such a person, who remains peaceful.
This beautiful metaphor from Chapter 2, Verse 70 illustrates profound confidence.
Picture the ocean. Rivers constantly flow into it, but does it overflow? Does it get agitated? No. It remains vast, calm, unmoved.
This is the confidence Lord Krishna points us toward. Life will bring endless streams of experiences - desires, opportunities, challenges. Most of us get swept away by each new current. But ocean-like confidence can receive everything without being disturbed.
The key is capacity. A small pond overflows easily. But the ocean? It has room for every river. Similarly, when your sense of self expands beyond narrow definitions, you develop the capacity to handle whatever life brings. Nothing overwhelms you because your inner space is vast.
Notice Lord Krishna doesn't say desires stop coming. They keep flowing in, just like rivers into the ocean.
This is realistic. You don't need to eliminate all desires to be confident. That's neither possible nor necessary. Instead, you develop the capacity to experience desires without being controlled by them. They come, you acknowledge them, but they don't disturb your peace.
This ocean-like quality transforms how you move through life. You can engage with opportunities without desperation. You can face challenges without panic. Like the ocean that remains itself while receiving all rivers, you maintain your essential confidence while fully participating in life's flow.
"One who sees equality in all beings, in their happiness and distress, O Arjuna, is considered a perfect yogi." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
आत्मौपम्येन सर्वत्र समं पश्यति योऽर्जुन |सुखं वा यदि वा दु:खं स योगी परमो मत: ||
English Translation:
One who sees equality in all beings, in their happiness and distress, O Arjuna, is considered a perfect yogi.
This quote from Chapter 6, Verse 32 reveals how connection with others deepens confidence.
When you see others as fundamentally different, comparison and competition rule your mind. Their success threatens you. Their failure makes you secretly relieved.
But Lord Krishna points to a different way. When you recognize the same consciousness in everyone, the same struggles and aspirations, something shifts. Others' success can inspire rather than intimidate you. Their challenges evoke compassion rather than judgment.
This equality vision eliminates one of confidence's biggest obstacles - the feeling that you're alone in your struggles. When you see that everyone faces happiness and distress, your own challenges feel less personal, less overwhelming. You're part of the human experience, not singled out for special difficulty.
Some think confidence requires feeling superior to others. Lord Krishna suggests the opposite.
True confidence comes from connection, not separation. When you can genuinely feel others' joy and pain, you're no longer trapped in the small box of ego. Your confidence expands beyond personal concerns to something universal.
This doesn't make you weak or overly sensitive. Instead, it grounds your confidence in something larger than individual achievement. You're confident not because you're better than others, but because you're connected to the same source as everyone. This connection-based confidence can't be threatened by others' success or shaken by comparison.
"To those who are constantly devoted and who worship Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जना: पर्युपासते |तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम् ||
English Translation:
To those who are constantly devoted and who worship Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.
This profound promise from Chapter 9, Verse 22 reveals the ultimate source of confidence.
Lord Krishna makes an extraordinary statement here. He personally ensures the well-being of those devoted to Him.
This isn't about religious belief but about aligning with the universal consciousness. When you surrender the ego's need to control everything, a greater intelligence takes over. This doesn't mean becoming passive. It means acting with the confidence that you're supported by something larger than your individual will.
Imagine the confidence of knowing the entire universe has your back. Not in a naive way that expects life to be easy, but in a deep trust that whatever comes serves your highest good. This divine confidence transcends personal ability. You're confident not just in what you can do, but in what can be done through you.
"Constantly devoted" and "with love" - these phrases reveal the heart of spiritual confidence.
This isn't confidence built on personal power but on connection to infinite power. When love rather than fear motivates your actions, when devotion rather than ego drives you, confidence takes on a different quality. It's softer yet stronger, humble yet unshakeable.
This quote also promises understanding - the very thing that builds true confidence. As you align with divine will through devotion, clarity comes. You understand your purpose, your path, your true nature. This understanding becomes the bedrock of confidence that no external circumstance can shake.
After exploring these powerful quotes from the Bhagavad Gita, clear patterns emerge about building lasting confidence.
Here are the essential insights for developing unshakeable confidence:
The Bhagavad Gita shows us that true confidence isn't about feeling superior or achieving perfection. It's about knowing who you are, accepting life's temporary nature, and acting from your authentic self regardless of outcomes.
This ancient wisdom remains startlingly relevant because it addresses the root of confidence issues - our misunderstanding of our true nature and our attachment to temporary results.
Start where you are. Take one teaching that resonates and apply it. Remember, Lord Krishna promises that even small progress on this path creates lasting transformation. Your journey to unshakeable confidence begins with a single step.
When you're standing at the edge of a major decision or facing your deepest fears, confidence isn't just helpful - it's essential. The Bhagavad Gita speaks directly to this human need, offering profound wisdom about where true confidence comes from. Not the fleeting kind that depends on success or approval, but the unshakeable confidence that emerges from understanding who you really are.
In this collection of quotes from the Bhagavad Gita, we explore how Lord Krishna guides Arjuna - and through him, all of us - toward authentic self-assurance. These aren't just ancient words. They're living teachings about overcoming self-doubt, finding inner strength, and standing firm in your truth. Each quote reveals a different aspect of confidence, from detachment from results to recognizing your eternal nature.
We'll journey through 15 powerful verses that address confidence from multiple angles. You'll discover what Lord Krishna says about fear, self-doubt, inner strength, and the source of unshakeable confidence. Let's explore how these timeless teachings can transform your relationship with confidence itself.
"Do not yield to unmanliness, O son of Pritha. It does not become you. Shake off this base faint-heartedness and arise, O scorcher of enemies!" - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
क्लैब्यं मा स्म गम: पार्थ नैतत्त्वय्युपपद्यते |क्षुद्रं हृदयदौर्बल्यं त्यक्त्वोत्तिष्ठ परन्तप ||
English Translation:
Do not yield to unmanliness, O son of Pritha. It does not become you. Shake off this base faint-heartedness and arise, O scorcher of enemies!
This powerful quote from Chapter 2, Verse 3 marks a turning point in Arjuna's journey from paralysis to action.
Lord Krishna doesn't sugarcoat His message. He directly challenges Arjuna's moment of weakness.
The word "unmanliness" here doesn't refer to gender. It points to a state of being overcome by emotion rather than guided by wisdom. When Lord Krishna says "it does not become you," He's reminding Arjuna - and us - of our true nature. We aren't meant to live in fear or hesitation. Our essence is strength itself.
Notice how Lord Krishna addresses Arjuna as "scorcher of enemies." Even in Arjuna's lowest moment, Krishna sees his true capability. This is profound. True confidence comes not from denying our moments of weakness, but from remembering our fundamental strength even within them.
The phrase "base faint-heartedness" reveals something crucial about confidence.
When we're ruled by fluctuating emotions, our confidence wavers too. One moment we feel capable, the next we're drowning in doubt. Lord Krishna calls this state "base" because it keeps us operating from our lowest potential rather than our highest truth.
"Arise" isn't just about physical action. It's about rising above the emotional storms that cloud our vision. Real confidence emerges when we can observe our emotions without being controlled by them. This quote teaches us that confidence isn't about never feeling weak - it's about not letting weakness define our actions.
"You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन |मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ||
English Translation:
You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.
Perhaps no other quote from the Bhagavad Gita has revolutionized how we understand confidence like this one from Chapter 2, Verse 47.
Most of us tie our confidence to outcomes. If we succeed, we feel confident. If we fail, confidence crumbles.
Lord Krishna completely flips this equation. He says your right is to the action, not the result. This isn't about lowering expectations or not caring. It's about finding a source of confidence that can't be shaken by external circumstances.
When you detach from results, something remarkable happens. The fear of failure loses its grip. You can act with full commitment because your self-worth isn't on the line with every action. This is revolutionary. Your confidence becomes rooted in your ability to act according to your values, not in whether those actions produce the desired outcome.
The word "right" here is powerful. It's not just permission - it's your fundamental claim to action.
Nobody can take away your right to do what you believe is correct. This alone should fill us with confidence. External circumstances might limit options, but they can't touch your essential right to choose your response. When you truly understand this, confidence becomes your natural state.
Lord Krishna also warns against the flip side - becoming attached to inaction. Sometimes we avoid acting because we're afraid of failing. But this quote reminds us that confidence doesn't come from avoiding challenges. It comes from engaging with them while staying detached from how they turn out.
"Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
योगस्थ: कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय |सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्यो: समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते ||
English Translation:
Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga.
Building directly on the previous teaching, this quote from Chapter 2, Verse 48 reveals the secret to unshakeable confidence.
Equanimity means remaining balanced whether you experience success or failure. This isn't indifference - it's stability.
Think about it. If your confidence swings wildly based on outcomes, you're always at the mercy of circumstances. One bad day can destroy weeks of built-up confidence. But when you cultivate equanimity, your confidence has deep roots. It doesn't get inflated by success or crushed by failure.
Lord Krishna calls this state "yoga." Not the physical postures we often associate with the word, but the original meaning - union, connection, balance. When you're established in this balanced state, confidence isn't something you have to generate. It's simply there, like breathing.
Abandoning attachment doesn't mean not caring. It means not letting your identity get tangled up in outcomes.
You can want success. You can work hard for it. But your sense of self doesn't depend on achieving it. This creates a paradox - when you're less attached to success, you often become more successful. Why? Because you can take bigger risks, make bolder decisions, and recover faster from setbacks.
This quote shows us that real confidence isn't about guaranteeing success. It's about knowing you'll be okay regardless of what happens. That's a game-changer. When failure loses its sting, you're free to play full out in life.
"O son of Kunti, the contacts between the senses and the sense objects give rise to happiness and distress. These are like winter and summer seasons. They arise and then disappear. Therefore, O descendant of Bharata, tolerate them." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदु:खदा: |आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत ||
English Translation:
O son of Kunti, the contacts between the senses and the sense objects give rise to happiness and distress. These are like winter and summer seasons. They arise and then disappear. Therefore, O descendant of Bharata, tolerate them.
This wisdom from Chapter 2, Verse 14 offers a unique perspective on building lasting confidence.
Lord Krishna uses a perfect analogy - seasons. Nobody panics when winter comes because we know spring will follow.
The same principle applies to our experiences. That crushing failure? It's winter. That moment of triumph? It's summer. Both will pass. When you truly grasp this, your confidence gains a steady quality. You stop being thrown around by every change in circumstances.
This isn't about becoming numb to experience. It's about developing perspective. When you know that both good and bad times are temporary, you can engage fully with life without being devastated by its downs or intoxicated by its ups. Your confidence rests on something deeper than circumstances.
The word "tolerate" here doesn't mean passive endurance. It means maintaining your center while experiences come and go.
Think of a mountain. Seasons change around it - snow covers it, sun beats down on it, storms rage against it. But the mountain remains. This is the kind of confidence Lord Krishna points us toward. Not the kind that needs perfect conditions, but the kind that can weather any season.
When you develop this tolerance, something shifts. You stop needing life to be a certain way for you to feel confident. Bad news doesn't shake you as much. Good news doesn't make you arrogant. You've found a confidence that exists independent of what's happening around you.
"In this world, there is nothing so purifying as knowledge. One who has attained perfection in yoga finds it within himself in due course of time." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते |तत्स्वयं योगसंसिद्ध: कालेनात्मनि विन्दति ||
English Translation:
In this world, there is nothing so purifying as knowledge. One who has attained perfection in yoga finds it within himself in due course of time.
This profound quote from Chapter 4, Verse 38 reveals the ultimate source of confidence - self-knowledge.
Lord Krishna isn't talking about information or facts. He means knowledge of your true nature.
Most confidence issues stem from not knowing who we really are. We identify with our roles, achievements, or failures. But these are all temporary costumes we wear. When you know your essential nature - consciousness itself - confidence becomes as natural as breathing.
This knowledge is "purifying" because it clears away false ideas about yourself. Every limiting belief, every self-doubt, every fear is based on misunderstanding your true identity. As these misconceptions fall away, what remains is pure confidence - not arrogance, but a quiet certainty about your place in existence.
Notice Lord Krishna says this knowledge is found "within himself." Not from outside validation or achievements.
This is crucial. Real confidence is an inside job. You can collect degrees, accumulate wealth, or gain recognition, but if you're looking outside for confidence, it will always be fragile. The moment external support disappears, so does your confidence.
But when you find this knowledge within, you've discovered an inexhaustible source of confidence. It's always there, always accessible. No one can take it away. No circumstance can diminish it. This is why Lord Krishna calls it supreme - it's confidence that depends on nothing outside yourself.
"One must elevate oneself by one's own mind, and not degrade oneself. The mind alone is the friend of the conditioned soul, and also the enemy." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् |आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मन: ||
English Translation:
One must elevate oneself by one's own mind, and not degrade oneself. The mind alone is the friend of the conditioned soul, and also the enemy.
This powerful teaching from Chapter 6, Verse 5 puts the responsibility for confidence squarely in our own hands.
Lord Krishna reveals a fundamental truth - you are your own best asset or worst enemy.
Think about your internal dialogue. Is it building you up or tearing you down? Most people are harsher on themselves than they'd ever be to a friend. But this quote reminds us that we have the power to choose. Your mind can be trained to support your confidence rather than sabotage it.
The word "elevate" is key. It's an active process. You don't wait for confidence to happen to you. You consciously lift yourself up through your thoughts, choices, and self-talk. This isn't about fake positivity. It's about choosing interpretations and perspectives that empower rather than diminish you.
"One must elevate oneself" - notice Lord Krishna doesn't say others will elevate you.
This is both challenging and liberating. Challenging because you can't blame anyone else for your lack of confidence. Liberating because it means you don't need anyone else's permission to be confident. The power is entirely in your hands.
When your mind becomes your friend, confidence follows naturally. You stop second-guessing yourself. You trust your judgment. You give yourself the same support you'd give a good friend. This internal friendship is the foundation of lasting confidence. Without it, even massive external validation feels hollow.
"In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
नेहाभिक्रमनाशोऽस्ति प्रत्यवायो न विद्यते |स्वल्पमप्यस्य धर्मस्य त्रायते महतो भयात् ||
English Translation:
In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.
This encouraging quote from Chapter 2, Verse 40 offers hope to anyone struggling with confidence.
Lord Krishna makes an extraordinary promise here. Every effort you make toward growth counts. Nothing is wasted.
This changes everything about how we approach confidence-building. Usually, we think we need massive changes to feel confident. We set huge goals, fail to reach them, and feel worse than before. But this quote says even tiny steps forward matter. They accumulate. They can't be taken away.
Imagine if every small act of courage, every moment you chose growth over comfort, added to an unbreakable bank account of confidence. That's what Lord Krishna describes. Your efforts compound. A small victory today makes tomorrow's challenge a little easier. This is how lasting confidence is built - not in giant leaps, but in consistent small steps.
"A little advancement... can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear." This is profound.
The most dangerous fear is the fear of being inadequate, of not being enough. It paralyzes us. It keeps us from even trying. But Lord Krishna says even small progress on the path of self-discovery can defeat this monster.
Why? Because action breaks the spell of fear. When you take even a tiny step forward, you prove to yourself that movement is possible. That proof is more powerful than any amount of thinking or planning. Each small advancement builds evidence that you're capable of growth. That evidence becomes the foundation of real confidence.
"Every endeavor is covered by some fault, just as fire is covered by smoke. Therefore, one should not give up the work born of one's nature, O son of Kunti, even if such work is full of fault." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत् |सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण धूमेनाग्निरिवावृता: ||
English Translation:
Every endeavor is covered by some fault, just as fire is covered by smoke. Therefore, one should not give up the work born of one's nature, O son of Kunti, even if such work is full of fault.
This liberating wisdom from Chapter 18, Verse 48 addresses one of confidence's biggest obstacles - perfectionism.
Lord Krishna's fire and smoke analogy is perfect. Have you ever seen fire without smoke? It's impossible.
Yet we expect our actions to be flawless. We wait for perfect conditions, perfect skills, perfect timing. This perfectionism kills confidence before it can bloom. But Lord Krishna says imperfection is built into the very nature of action. Accepting this truth is liberating.
When you know that every endeavor will have flaws, you stop using imperfection as an excuse not to act. You stop being surprised by problems. Instead of seeing faults as signs you shouldn't proceed, you see them as natural companions to any worthwhile effort. This shift is huge for confidence.
Lord Krishna specifically mentions not abandoning work that aligns with your nature.
This points to something deep. True confidence comes from being authentic, not perfect. When you try to be someone you're not, confidence always feels forced. But when you act according to your nature - even imperfectly - there's a natural ease and confidence.
Your nature-born work will have faults. So what? The fire still gives light and warmth despite the smoke. Your imperfect action, aligned with who you are, contributes more than perfect action that goes against your grain. This understanding lets you move forward with confidence, smoke and all.
"It is better to perform one's own dharma imperfectly than to perform another's dharma perfectly. It is better to die in one's own dharma; another's dharma is fraught with danger." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुण: परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् |स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेय: परधर्मो भयावह: ||
English Translation:
It is better to perform one's own dharma imperfectly than to perform another's dharma perfectly. It is better to die in one's own dharma; another's dharma is fraught with danger.
This bold statement from Chapter 3, Verse 35 cuts to the heart of authentic confidence.
We live in a world of constant comparison. Social media shows us people excelling in their paths, and we wonder if we should follow them.
But Lord Krishna warns against this. Why? Because confidence built on being someone else is always shaky. You're always one step behind, always comparing, always feeling inadequate. But when you follow your own dharma - your own nature and duty - confidence has solid ground.
Even if you stumble on your path, you're still moving forward authentically. That authenticity breeds a confidence that perfectionism in someone else's path never could. You stop apologizing for who you are. You stop trying to fit into molds that weren't made for you.
Lord Krishna uses strong language - another's path is "fraught with danger." Why so serious?
Because living someone else's life is a betrayal of your own potential. It might look safer to follow a proven path, but it slowly erodes your confidence in your own judgment, your own values, your own unique contribution.
Think about it. When you force yourself into roles that don't fit, every success feels hollow. You might achieve things, but they don't satisfy because they're not aligned with who you are. This creates a confidence crisis. External success paired with internal emptiness. Lord Krishna's quote protects us from this trap.
"One whose mind is not disturbed by miseries, who has no desires for happiness, who is free from attachment, fear and anger, is called a sage of steady mind." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
दु:खेष्वनुद्विग्नमना: सुखेषु विगतस्पृह: |वीतरागभयक्रोध: स्थितधीर्मुनिरुच्यते ||
English Translation:
One whose mind is not disturbed by miseries, who has no desires for happiness, who is free from attachment, fear and anger, is called a sage of steady mind.
This description from Chapter 2, Verse 56 paints a picture of ultimate confidence.
Notice Lord Krishna doesn't say the confident person doesn't experience miseries. They're just not disturbed by them.
This is a crucial distinction. Life will bring challenges. That's guaranteed. But confidence comes from knowing you can face whatever comes without being shaken at your core. It's not about avoiding problems but about maintaining your center when they arrive.
This kind of stability doesn't happen overnight. It's built through practice, through facing small disturbances and learning you can handle them. Each time you remain steady through difficulty, your confidence deepens. You start trusting your ability to navigate any storm.
Lord Krishna lists three specific freedoms - from attachment, fear, and anger. These are confidence killers.
Attachment makes you desperate. You need specific outcomes to feel okay about yourself. Fear paralyzes you. You won't take necessary risks. Anger clouds your judgment. You react instead of responding. When these three lose their grip, natural confidence emerges.
Freedom doesn't mean you never experience these emotions. It means they don't control you. You might feel fear but act anyway. You might prefer certain outcomes but remain confident regardless of results. This is the steady mind Lord Krishna describes - not emotionless, but no longer at the mercy of emotions.
"One who is not elated by attaining pleasant things nor disturbed by the unpleasant, who is steady in intelligence and unbewildered, such a knower of Brahman is already situated in transcendence." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
न प्रहृष्येत्प्रियं प्राप्य नोद्विजेत्प्राप्य चाप्रियम् |स्थिरबुद्धिरसम्मूढो ब्रह्मविद् ब्रह्मणि स्थित: ||
English Translation:
One who is not elated by attaining pleasant things nor disturbed by the unpleasant, who is steady in intelligence and unbewildered, such a knower of Brahman is already situated in transcendence.
This advanced teaching from Chapter 5, Verse 20 shows confidence at its highest level.
Most of us ride an emotional rollercoaster. Good news sends us soaring. Bad news crashes us down.
But Lord Krishna describes a different way. True confidence maintains equilibrium through both pleasant and unpleasant experiences. This isn't about suppressing joy or pretending pain doesn't hurt. It's about not letting either extreme throw you off balance.
When pleasant things don't elate you excessively, you avoid the inevitable crash when they end. When unpleasant things don't disturb you deeply, you maintain the clarity to respond effectively. This emotional stability is the hallmark of unshakeable confidence.
The phrase "steady intelligence" points to discrimination - knowing what's eternal and what's temporary.
Most confidence issues come from identifying with temporary things. Your job, your relationships, your achievements - all these change. If your confidence depends on them, it's always vulnerable. But when intelligence becomes steady in understanding your true nature, confidence finds an unshakeable foundation.
This doesn't mean worldly things don't matter. It means your core confidence doesn't depend on them. You can engage fully with life, celebrate successes and learn from failures, while maintaining an inner stability that nothing can touch. This is confidence in its most mature form.
"As rivers flow into the ocean but cannot make the ocean overflow, so too all desires flow into the person of steady wisdom, but they cannot disturb such a person, who remains peaceful." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
आपूर्यमाणमचलप्रतिष्ठं समुद्रमाप: प्रविशन्ति यद्वत् |तद्वत्कामा यं प्रविशन्ति सर्वे स शान्तिमाप्नोति न कामकामी ||
English Translation:
As rivers flow into the ocean but cannot make the ocean overflow, so too all desires flow into the person of steady wisdom, but they cannot disturb such a person, who remains peaceful.
This beautiful metaphor from Chapter 2, Verse 70 illustrates profound confidence.
Picture the ocean. Rivers constantly flow into it, but does it overflow? Does it get agitated? No. It remains vast, calm, unmoved.
This is the confidence Lord Krishna points us toward. Life will bring endless streams of experiences - desires, opportunities, challenges. Most of us get swept away by each new current. But ocean-like confidence can receive everything without being disturbed.
The key is capacity. A small pond overflows easily. But the ocean? It has room for every river. Similarly, when your sense of self expands beyond narrow definitions, you develop the capacity to handle whatever life brings. Nothing overwhelms you because your inner space is vast.
Notice Lord Krishna doesn't say desires stop coming. They keep flowing in, just like rivers into the ocean.
This is realistic. You don't need to eliminate all desires to be confident. That's neither possible nor necessary. Instead, you develop the capacity to experience desires without being controlled by them. They come, you acknowledge them, but they don't disturb your peace.
This ocean-like quality transforms how you move through life. You can engage with opportunities without desperation. You can face challenges without panic. Like the ocean that remains itself while receiving all rivers, you maintain your essential confidence while fully participating in life's flow.
"One who sees equality in all beings, in their happiness and distress, O Arjuna, is considered a perfect yogi." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
आत्मौपम्येन सर्वत्र समं पश्यति योऽर्जुन |सुखं वा यदि वा दु:खं स योगी परमो मत: ||
English Translation:
One who sees equality in all beings, in their happiness and distress, O Arjuna, is considered a perfect yogi.
This quote from Chapter 6, Verse 32 reveals how connection with others deepens confidence.
When you see others as fundamentally different, comparison and competition rule your mind. Their success threatens you. Their failure makes you secretly relieved.
But Lord Krishna points to a different way. When you recognize the same consciousness in everyone, the same struggles and aspirations, something shifts. Others' success can inspire rather than intimidate you. Their challenges evoke compassion rather than judgment.
This equality vision eliminates one of confidence's biggest obstacles - the feeling that you're alone in your struggles. When you see that everyone faces happiness and distress, your own challenges feel less personal, less overwhelming. You're part of the human experience, not singled out for special difficulty.
Some think confidence requires feeling superior to others. Lord Krishna suggests the opposite.
True confidence comes from connection, not separation. When you can genuinely feel others' joy and pain, you're no longer trapped in the small box of ego. Your confidence expands beyond personal concerns to something universal.
This doesn't make you weak or overly sensitive. Instead, it grounds your confidence in something larger than individual achievement. You're confident not because you're better than others, but because you're connected to the same source as everyone. This connection-based confidence can't be threatened by others' success or shaken by comparison.
"To those who are constantly devoted and who worship Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जना: पर्युपासते |तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम् ||
English Translation:
To those who are constantly devoted and who worship Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.
This profound promise from Chapter 9, Verse 22 reveals the ultimate source of confidence.
Lord Krishna makes an extraordinary statement here. He personally ensures the well-being of those devoted to Him.
This isn't about religious belief but about aligning with the universal consciousness. When you surrender the ego's need to control everything, a greater intelligence takes over. This doesn't mean becoming passive. It means acting with the confidence that you're supported by something larger than your individual will.
Imagine the confidence of knowing the entire universe has your back. Not in a naive way that expects life to be easy, but in a deep trust that whatever comes serves your highest good. This divine confidence transcends personal ability. You're confident not just in what you can do, but in what can be done through you.
"Constantly devoted" and "with love" - these phrases reveal the heart of spiritual confidence.
This isn't confidence built on personal power but on connection to infinite power. When love rather than fear motivates your actions, when devotion rather than ego drives you, confidence takes on a different quality. It's softer yet stronger, humble yet unshakeable.
This quote also promises understanding - the very thing that builds true confidence. As you align with divine will through devotion, clarity comes. You understand your purpose, your path, your true nature. This understanding becomes the bedrock of confidence that no external circumstance can shake.
After exploring these powerful quotes from the Bhagavad Gita, clear patterns emerge about building lasting confidence.
Here are the essential insights for developing unshakeable confidence:
The Bhagavad Gita shows us that true confidence isn't about feeling superior or achieving perfection. It's about knowing who you are, accepting life's temporary nature, and acting from your authentic self regardless of outcomes.
This ancient wisdom remains startlingly relevant because it addresses the root of confidence issues - our misunderstanding of our true nature and our attachment to temporary results.
Start where you are. Take one teaching that resonates and apply it. Remember, Lord Krishna promises that even small progress on this path creates lasting transformation. Your journey to unshakeable confidence begins with a single step.