"Si vous n'avez pas confiance en vous, vous êtes deux fois vaincu dans la course de la vie."
— Marcus Tullius Cicero
Simplified Meaning:
Believing in yourself is crucial because without self-confidence, you've already set yourself back before you even begin trying. Think about it like running a race: if you don't think you can win, you start feeling nervous and doubt your abilities. This makes it much harder to do your best. Just like how a student who thinks they will fail an exam might not study hard enough or might get so anxious they can't concentrate during the test. But if that student believes they can do well, they are more likely to prepare properly and stay calm, increasing their chances of actually doing well. Confidence boosts your chances of success because it encourages you to put in the effort and manage challenges better. So, believing in your capabilities is the first step to overcoming obstacles and reaching your goals.