Cocksure Confidence Confidence is a wonderful thing. One definition states confidence is a feeling of self-assurance arising from one's appreciation of one's own abilities or qualities. Some people seem to be born with this appreciation; others need to acquire it. There are websites devoted to building one’s confidence. Apparently, this can be learned if it does not come naturally. For example, one of my sons has tried twice to make chocolate chip cookies. He had a recipe, the ingredients, and a working oven. Despite this the cookies turned out to be only of use to Palestinians should they run out of stones to throw at Israelis. My son is convinced that his rock cookies are the result of a faulty recipe and poisoned vanilla extract. It would never occur to this particular son that he, perhaps, did something wrong. He has confidence in his ability in the kitchen. My dear intrepid daughter took it upon herself to teach this son how