I was thinking about where the line between confidence and cockiness is drawn and here is what I have come up with. I am sure there are a myriad of other ways the distinction could be drawn, but this is a start. Confidence is having faith in oneself, but acknowledging the ability to make mistakes and admitting the mistakes when they occur. Cockiness is having unquestioned faith in oneself and the belief nothing one does is a mistake. A complete lack of confidence causes one to believe that everything one will do will end up being a mistake or will make one aware of the mistakes made, but not open enough to admit them.