Bombmaniac you have indeed made yourself clear however you’ve neglected to define what exactly self-esteem is.
Yes, the balance you have spoken of is necassary and if you define self worth the way I originally defined it then you have that balance.
Self worth means that one realizes his immense capabilities and the fact that he was created for a purpose, a purpose that that individual alone can fulfill. If someone has that realization he automatically is intrinsically aware that he is not worthless, far be it he is in a sense “invaluable” for there is no one like him.
At the same time one who is equipped with a proper sense of self worth cannot possibly think that he is perfect for he is only to well aware of the immense responsibilities that lie upon him, for he must do what no one else can.
It is this concept of self worth that is embodied in the words “Bshvili N’Vra H’Aolam” and one who fully understands this concept can begin to understand the immense value that a Jew places on human life.
On the other hand self esteem teaches one that his individual value is not connected to anything whatsoever and as such inherently teaches one that he has the right to be conceieted for by his very nature he is perfect or close to it.
From my understanding it is for this reason that we Rav wolbe was so forceful in his denounciation of “Bitachon Atzmi”.
In light of this I would beg to ask that instead of speaking in generalities perhaps you can define specifically in your mind what is self-esteem, why is it important and where in Chazal is there a source for it?