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.
- 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 - Then she saw Anthony coming across the snow, with his confident, slightly strutting stride.
— from The Rainbow by D. H. Lawrence - "More than that, I am now confident of ultimate success."
— from A Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne - Jurgis was confident of his ability to get work for himself, unassisted by any one.
— from The Jungle by Upton Sinclair - 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 - What fool so confident to say, That he shall live one other day?
— from Gargantua and Pantagruel by François Rabelais - 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 - 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 - 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