What is the difference between high esteem and smugness or conceit?

Answer 1

First lets establish some foundation: Genuine confidence is a sense of self that radiates a factual state of admirable achievement. Conversely, arrogant conceit is the hideous condition of radical distortion of sense-of-self that is detached and likely counter to the individual's factual state of identity. In my opinion, Smugness is not a condition of the 'observed', but rather an unfortunate intermix of the observer's own low self-esteem in the presence of geniune confidence. Most humans are actually incapable of discerning between 'smugness' and geniune 'radiating confidence' - unless that observer has contextual knowledge of the particular factual achievement that underlies the confidence of the observed. In my case, strangers typically despise me on contact - unless there is an 'intermediary' who can explain to them who I actually am.. at which point the odiousness of my prior 'smugness' instantantly evaporates in the mind of the previously irrated observer. Once they know, then we can get onto more 'normal social interactions'. However, without context - again... humans typically have no way of differentiating 'putting on aires' and actually, truly, factually-with-bonafides... Being All That.

Answer 2

High esteem refers to a positive regard and respect for oneself or others, based on genuine qualities or achievements. Smugness or conceit, on the other hand, involves an excessive sense of self-satisfaction or superiority without necessarily warranting it. In essence, high esteem is grounded in humility and self-awareness, while smugness or conceit is rooted in arrogance and a lack of empathy.