He saw her charming, but he saw not half
The charms her downcast modesty conceal'd.

He saw her charming, but he saw not half
The charms her downcast modesty conceal'd.

Immodest words admit of no defence;
For want of decency is want of sense.

Immodest words admit of no defence;
For want of decency is want of sense.

There's a lot to be said for the fellow who doesn't say it himself.

There's a lot to be said for the fellow who doesn't say it himself.

It is easy for a somebody to be modest, but it is difficult to be modest when one is a read more

It is easy for a somebody to be modest, but it is difficult to be modest when one is a nobody.

Modesty is the only sure bait when you are fishing for praise.

Modesty is the only sure bait when you are fishing for praise.

Modesty may make a fool seem a man of sense.

Modesty may make a fool seem a man of sense.

Her modest looks the cottage might adorn,
Sweet as the primrose peeps beneath the thorn.

Her modest looks the cottage might adorn,
Sweet as the primrose peeps beneath the thorn.

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.

Modesty is a vastly overrated virtue.

Modesty is a vastly overrated virtue.