What did Thomas Jefferson mean?

Question

"I never had an opinion in politics or religion which I was afraid to own. A costive reserve on these subjects might have procured me more esteem from some people, but less from myself."

What did he mean when talking about self esteem?

Answer 1

He's just saying that he believed what he believed and didn't modify it in order to gain praise or esteem from other people because he would have thought less of himself in doing so.

Answer 2

Others would have admired him if he chose ways that he personally didn't agree with - but it was more important that he be true to himself, no matter what others thought of him.

This "esteem" that others would have awarded him, he felt was not as valuable as the esteem he awarded himself.  He owned his opinions regardless of how others would have "disowned him" for having opposing views to them.

Answer 3

He wasn't talking about self-esteem.  Rather he was talking about admiration (esteem) from others.