Confidence is going after Moby Dick in a rowboat… It’s not about the odds, it’s about the absolute conviction you’re coming back with a whale. Ziglar is telling us that real confidence is the prep work, the belief so deep you’ve already packed the tartar sauce.
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Meaning
True confidence isn’t just believing you can win; it’s acting as if your victory is a foregone conclusion, even when the challenge seems impossibly huge.
Explanation
Let’s break this down because it’s genius. The “Moby Dick” part is your audacious goal—the massive, seemingly impossible dream that everyone else thinks is crazy. The “rowboat” is your reality, your current, probably insufficient resources. Now, here’s the kicker, the part most people miss: “taking the tartar sauce.” That’s the secret sauce, no pun intended. That’s the tangible, almost arrogant preparation for success. It’s the mindset that doesn’t just hope for the best; it expects it. You’re not just fighting the whale; you’re so sure you’ll be eating it that you brought the condiment. That shift, from hoping to expecting, that’s where real power lies.
Quote Summary
Reading Level60
Aesthetic Score82
Origin & Factcheck
This gem comes straight from Zig Ziglar’s 1975 classic, See You at the Top, which he published in the United States. You sometimes see it floating around misattributed to other motivational speakers, but it’s 100% pure Ziglar. His unique blend of southern charm and relentless optimism is all over this one.
Attribution Summary
Author Bio
Zig Ziglar inspired generations with his upbeat, practical lessons on sales and success. He started in door-to-door cookware sales, rose to corporate leadership, and then founded Ziglar, Inc. to train leaders worldwide. His books—like See You at the Top and Secrets of Closing the Sale—blend ethics, optimism, and actionable steps. He spoke to millions across the globe and built a lasting legacy in personal development and professional selling. If you’re exploring his writings, check the to see the themes and tools that made him so influential.
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Confidence is going after Moby Dick in a rowboat and taking tartar sauce with you |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 1975; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 978-0-88207-957-2; Last edition: Revised & Updated, Pelican Publishing 2010; Number of pages: 416 |
| Where is it? | Chapter 29: Courage and Confidence, Approximate page 590 from 2010 edition |
Context
In the book, Ziglar uses this to talk about the power of a positive self-image. He’s making the point that how you see yourself directly impacts your actions. If you see yourself as a victor, you’ll pack the tartar sauce. If you see yourself as a potential victim of the whale… well, you probably won’t even leave the dock.
Usage Examples
I use this all the time with clients and in my own head. It’s a frame for audacious action.
- For an Entrepreneur: Pitching a billion-dollar idea with just a prototype? That’s your Moby Dick. Having the detailed, 3-year financial projections and the first draft of the partnership agreement ready? That’s your tartar sauce.
- For a Job Seeker: Going for that dream role you’re not 100% qualified for on paper? That’s the whale. Preparing for the interview not just by studying the company, but by already drafting your 30-60-90 day plan for the role? That’s the sauce.
- For a Writer: Deciding to write a novel? Big whale. Buying a nice pen, a special notebook, and clearing your calendar for the next six months as if you’re already under contract? That’s the tangible belief. That’s the tartar sauce.
To whom it appeals?
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FAQ
Question: Isn’t this just about being overconfident or arrogant?
Answer: Great question. And no, not at all. Arrogance is bluster without action. This is the opposite—it’s quiet, prepared conviction. The tartar sauce represents preparation, not just talk. It’s the work you do because you believe in the outcome.
Question: What if I fail? Doesn’t bringing the “tartar sauce” set you up for a bigger disappointment?
Answer: I get this one a lot. But think about it—the person who brings the sauce has already psychologically committed to success at a deeper level. That commitment itself increases the likelihood of success. And even if you fail, you fail knowing you gave it everything, with a level of preparation that most wouldn’t dare to attempt. That’s a lesson in itself.
Question: Who is this quote most useful for?
Answer: Honestly, anyone facing a big, scary leap. Entrepreneurs, artists, career-changers, anyone with a “moonshot” goal. It’s for when the voice in your head says “who am I to do this?” This quote tells you to answer, “I’m the one who brought the tartar sauce.”
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