self-distrustn.

a1631 R. Bolton Two Serm. (1635) ii. 96 God would have them to doe him service, in a more publicke employment, and higher place; and they ordinarily undertake them with much feare, selfe-distrust, and extraordinary prayer.

1652 T. Vincent tr. L. Scupoli Spiritval Conflict ii. 11 in Christian Pilgrime in his Spirituall Conflict The second way to get this self-distrust, is to demand it of him, whose gracious gift it is, with humble and earnest prayers.

1722 J. Goffe Jesus Christ Pref. p. vii More Modesty, and Self-distrust would better become such as are taught Not to be many Masters.

1789 E. Burke Let. to Dupont in Corr. (1844) III. 105 It would become me, least of all, to be so confident, who ought..to have well learned the important lesson of self-distrust.

1847 J. Keble Serm. Academical & Occas. Pref. 19 Self-distrust is a temper so suitable to us.., that [etc.].

a1890 H. P. Liddon et al. Life E. B. Pusey (1893) I. xviii. 441 Keble's habitual self-distrust made him at times of less service as an adviser than he might have been.

1905 Pop. Sci. Monthly Dec. 713 I hope that they may become acquainted with extreme self-contempt, the torture of self-distrust, the misery of defeat.

1994 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 14 July 45/1 Guilt transformed into self-distrust was not the least of the factors that prevented the German government from acting together with other nations.

2004 P. Ackroyd Lambs of London (2005) ii. 25 His ambition was matched only by his self-distrust; he aspired to success but expected failure.