Modesty is the lowest of the virtues, and is a confession of the deficiency it indicates. He who undervalues himself read more

Modesty is the lowest of the virtues, and is a confession of the deficiency it indicates. He who undervalues himself is justly overvalued by others.

It is far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help

It is far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help

Can it be
That modesty may more betray our sense
Than woman's lightness? Having waste ground enough,
read more

Can it be
That modesty may more betray our sense
Than woman's lightness? Having waste ground enough,
Shall we desire to raze the sanctuary
And pitch our evils there?

When one remains modest, not after praise but after blame, then
is he really so.
[Ger., Wenn jemand read more

When one remains modest, not after praise but after blame, then
is he really so.
[Ger., Wenn jemand bescheiden bleibt, nicht beim Lobe, sondern
beim Tadel, dann ist er's.]

Some are made modest by great praise, others insolent.

Some are made modest by great praise, others insolent.

It rarely adds anything to say, "In my opinion" -- not even modesty. Naturally a sentence is only your opinion; read more

It rarely adds anything to say, "In my opinion" -- not even modesty. Naturally a sentence is only your opinion; and you are not the Pope.

At least I have the modesty to admit that lack of modesty is one of my failings

At least I have the modesty to admit that lack of modesty is one of my failings

I met the youthful lord at Laurence' cell
And gave him what becomed love I might,
Not read more

I met the youthful lord at Laurence' cell
And gave him what becomed love I might,
Not stepping o'er the bounds of modesty.

With people of only moderate ability modesty is mere honesty; but with those who possess great talent it is hypocrisy.

With people of only moderate ability modesty is mere honesty; but with those who possess great talent it is hypocrisy.