the buddhists hate our egos.

the christians believe we should be martyrs.

i believe an ego is healthy and self-image is important.

where self-confidence fails, the self turns into the primary goal: one is fixing a wound.

where healthy, it has no need to hate itself, or glorify itself: itself is a means to an end.

our self-image is ourselves reflected in others, and can often supplant healthy self-confidence

the best self-image is one based on a self-confidence based on the self's perception of itself as indivisible from the world.
no one is to blame or praise.
it exists, this self, but not without context.

thus all is continuous, and the self a reflection of its own portion of the time and space continuity.