The Grace of Kings (The Dandelion Dynasty, #1)

by Ken Liu

Kuni was the sort of man, Risana realized, who, rather than deceive himself, was so full of self-doubt that he could no longer see himself.

There is a lot of psychology research showing that we respond to the aura of confidence that some people can project. It matters little whether they’re indeed wise or knowledgeable, prudent or thoughtful – so long as they come across as confident, we think they’re all of these things and more, that they make good leaders. Having doubt is somehow seen as a bad thing. The more our leaders say they’re unmoved by evidence to change course, the more we call that “integrity.” The more our leaders claim that they have no doubts or regrets, the more we call that “virtue.” I don’t know. Personally, I can’t see my way to trusting anyone who has no regrets or doubts, who claims they already know everything and can’t have their minds changed. My instinct is to inch away from such people and desperately seek a way out of the very bad conversation I’m trapped in—they’re bound to be boors as well as bores. But too much doubt can also be a bad thing. Too many of us end up regretting the chance not taken, the résumé not handed in, the hand not raised. We let the “confident” jackasses get all the best perks. How to find the balance between no-doubt and doubt is a tough one, probably the toughest conundrum there is.