Today, people are conducting themselves in such a manner that it appears they have no understanding at all of the need for self-confidence. Without self-confidence, one will not be able to achieve much, even if one has faith and devotion. Similarly, one may have confidence in one’s own self, but if there is no devotion and faith, that too will not help. Devotion and self-confidence are like the negative and positive. It is the combination of these two that will enable us to fulfil our sacred thought. The first thing we should do is to promote and strengthen our self-confidence. This confidence in one’s own self is like the foundation at the bottom. On the foundation of that confidence, we should build the wall of self-satisfaction, and then add the roof of self-sacrifice. In the mansion thus built, we should attain self-realisation.

- Summer Showers in Brindavan, 1977, Ch 10.