Modesty is a quality in a lover more praised by the women than liked.
—Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751–1816) Irish-born British Playwright, Poet, Elected Rep
Do not make yourself so big, you are not so small.
—Yiddish Proverb
He is a modest little man who has a good deal to be modest about.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
It’s always well to be the smartest thinker, but is won’t get you very far unless you’re the plainest talker.
—Unknown
Modesty and the dew love the shade. Each shines in the open day only to be exhaled to heaven.
—Jean Antoine Petit-Senn (1792–1870) Swiss Poet
If there is anybody in this land who thoroughly believes that the meek shall inherit the earth they have not often let their presence be known.
—W. E. B. Du Bois (1868–1963) American Sociologist, Social Reformer
Modesty is not only an ornament, but also a guard to virtue.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Modesty is the gentle art of enhancing your charm by pretending not to be aware of it.
—Oliver Herford (1863–1935) American Writer, Artist, Illustrator
True modesty is a discerning grace, and only blushes in the proper place, but counterfeit is blind, and skulks through fear, where ’tis a shame to be ashamed to appear; humility the parent of the first; the last by vanity produced and nursed.
—William Cowper (1731–1800) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer
Modesty is the lowest of the virtues, and is a real confession of the deficiency it indicates. He who undervalues himself is justly undervalued by others.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
With people with only modest ability, modesty is mere honesty; but with those who possess great talent, it is hypocrisy.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
To be humble to superiors is duty, to equals courtesy, to inferiors nobleness.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
So rare is the union of beauty with modesty.
—Juvenal (c.60–c.136 CE) Roman Poet
Modest expression is a beautiful setting to the diamond of talent and genius.
—Edwin Hubbell Chapin (1814–80) American Preacher, Poet
Conceit spoils the finest genius. There is not much danger that real talent or goodness will be overlooked long; even if it is, the consciousness of possessing and using it well should satisfy one, and the great charm of all power is modesty.
—Louisa May Alcott (1832–88) American Novelist
No sex, age, or condition is above or below the absolute necessity of modesty; but without it one vastly beneath the rank of man.
—Bruce Fairchild Barton (1886–1967) American Author, Advertising Executive, Politician
I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
Because impudence is a vice, it does not follow that modesty is a virtue; it is built upon shame, a passion in our nature, and may be either good or bad according to the actions performed from that motive.
—Bernard Mandeville (1670–1733) Anglo-Dutch Philosopher, Satirist
A false modesty is the meanest species of pride.
—Edward Gibbon (1737–94) English Historian, Politician
Modesty makes large amends for the pain it gives those who labor under it, by the prejudice it affords every worthy person in their favor.
—William Shenstone (1714–63) British Poet, Landscape Gardener
A vain man finds it wise to speak good or ill of himself; a modest man does not talk of himself.
—Jean de La Bruyere (1645–96) French Satiric Moralist, Author
Modesty once extinguished knows not how to return.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Modesty forbids what the law does not.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Act as though you cannot fail but keep a humble spirit.
—Unknown
Modesty is the only sure bait when you angle for praise.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
Let us be careful to distinguish modesty, which is ever amiable, from reserve, which is only prudent. A man is hated sometimes for pride, when it was an excess of humility gave the occasion.
—William Shenstone (1714–63) British Poet, Landscape Gardener
A good man is modest.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Modesty is the chastity of merit, the virginity of noble souls.
—Emile de Girardin (1806–81) French Journalist, Publisher
Who are the pious? The modest. Who are the modest? Those who are bashful, knowing that God sees them.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
The mark of the man of the world is absence of pretension. He does not make a speech; he takes a low business-tone, avoids all brag, is nobody, dresses plainly, promises not at all, performs much, speaks in monosyllables, hugs his fact. He calls his employment by its lowest name, and so takes from evil tongues their sharpest weapon. His conversation clings to the weather and the news, yet he allows himself to be surprised into thought, and the unlocking of his learning and philosophy.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher