Com, with, plus fidere, to trust, are the basis for the Latin confidere, which meansĀ to confide. Confidence derives from confidere, and one of the roots of faith is the Latin fidere. These ancient linguistic connections among faith, trust, confiding, and confidence bring to that last word a depth that we miss when we think of confidence only as self-assurance. Who asks, Am I willing to confide in myself? Am I my most trusted friend? Can I be my confidante rather than my confessor who every day belabors a multiplicity of mea culpas? Do I live with faith?
Confidence always seems to beget energy.