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Literary notes about confident (AI summary)

In literary works, "confident" is employed to evoke a state of assuredness that can range from military poise and physical assurance to inner self-belief and even hubris. At times, the term portrays a character's bold stance in the face of adversity—such as a soldier secure in his tactical positioning [1] or a person striding with self-assured grace [2]—while in other narratives it reflects a deeply personal inner certainty about future success or inherent ability [3, 4]. Conversely, the word may also hint at overconfidence or a vulnerability to criticism, highlighting the dual nature of such self-reliance [5, 6]. Whether describing the confident tone of a leader [7] or the serene composure amid turmoil [8, 9], authors use "confident" as a versatile descriptor that enriches character development and builds narrative tension.
  1. The enemy waited their approach, confident in the excellence of his position; but as they drew closer the Hellene light troops, with a loud alala!
    — from Anabasis by Xenophon
  2. Then she saw Anthony coming across the snow, with his confident, slightly strutting stride.
    — from The Rainbow by D. H. Lawrence
  3. "More than that, I am now confident of ultimate success."
    — from A Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne
  4. Jurgis was confident of his ability to get work for himself, unassisted by any one.
    — from The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
  5. But now she had grown more sensitive to criticism and less confident in her power of disarming it.
    — from The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
  6. What fool so confident to say, That he shall live one other day?
    — from Gargantua and Pantagruel by François Rabelais
  7. Horsemen had departed down all the roads in every direction, and the Sheriff “was confident” that he would be captured before night.
    — from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Complete by Mark Twain
  8. While you are young, strong, confident, be not weary in well-doing!
    — from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov
  9. This man, confident in his great wealth, was paying court to the wife of Ulysses, and said to the suitors, "Hear what I have to say.
    — from The Odyssey by Homer

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