1658 A. Burgess Doctr. Orig. Sin iv. ii. 471 We have delightfull motions in our own self-trusting and confidence in the creature.

1685 R. Baxter Paraphr. New Test. Matt. vi. 32 By self-trusting and self-seeking [they] are drowned in worldly love and care.

1837 Preston Chron. & Lancs. Advertiser 23 Dec. Some of the obstacles in the way of human improvement, and among those, the most prominent were, resting too much on others, and too little on self-trusting.

1912 Caledonian Dec. 393/2 The discovery, and the confession, and the denial, of self, as usurping the place of God, of self-seeking and self-trusting, is essential.

1996 J. Corbett Bad-mouthing iii. 34 It requires courage, self-trusting, standing-apart.

2005 Australian (Nexis) 19 Aug. (Features section) 30 The emphasis is on creativity, self-trusting and fun.

a1660 H. Hammond Serm. (1675) xi. 144 Though the moral man be proud or self-trusting, because this pride or self-trusting is not an effect, but an accident of morality.

1842 H. E. Manning Serm. x. 144 The more learned, toilsome, and self-trusting it [sc. the world] has become.

1868 J. H. Newman Verses Var. Occasions 157 Men close the door, and dress the cheerful hearth, Self-trusting still.

1982 College Lit. 9 78 [Emily] Dickinson speaks with a self-trusting voice, recognizably a woman's.

2002 C. McLeod Self-trust & Reprod. Autonomy 83 When people are not easily swayed by the opinions of those who might question their abilities, we tend to think of them as self-trusting.