When we have high self-esteem, we accept responsibility for every part of our lives. Other people do not "make" us feel a certain way or in any way determine our worth as human beings. We certainly may consider other peoples' opinions about how to conduct our lives, but we have the final authority to determine our own good.

In contrast, a feeling of low self-esteem leads us to seek control over others in one way or another; we feel powerless, weak, and vulnerable at times. Also there are the commonly seen feelings of unworthiness, and inferiority. The ego has to work over-time to compensate, building facades, and creating false security. In fact, egotism is not high self-esteem. It is an artificial creation that comes into existence to occupy the void which should be filled by genuine good feelings about ourselves.