Modesty is the conscience of the body.
—Honore de Balzac (1799–1850) French Novelist
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
No really great man ever thought himself so.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
You cannot, I repeat, successfully acquire it and preserve your modesty at the same time.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Self-conceit may lead to self destruction.
—Aesop (620–564 BCE) Greek Fabulist
Usually the modest person passes for someone reserved, the silent for a sullen person
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
A false modesty is the meanest species of pride.
—Edward Gibbon (1737–94) English Historian, 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
Modesty was designed by Providence as a guard to virtue, and that it might be always at hand it is wrought into the mechanism of the body. It is likewise proportioned to the occasions of life, and strongest in youth when passion is so too.
—Jeremy Collier (1650–1726) Anglican Church Historian, Clergyman
Modesty once extinguished knows not how to return.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
False modesty is the refinement of vanity. It is a lie.
—Jean de La Bruyere (1645–96) French Satiric Moralist, Author
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
The man who is ostentatious of his modesty is twin to the statue that wears a fig-leaf.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Lord Bacon told Sir Edward Coke when he was boasting, The less you speak of your greatness, the more shall I think of it.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
So rare is the union of beauty with modesty.
—Juvenal (c.60–c.136 CE) Roman Poet
No modest man ever did or ever will make a fortune.
—Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (1689–1762) English Aristocrat, Poet, Novelist, Writer
Modesty is the color of virtue.
—Diogenes Laertius (f.3rd Century CE) Biographer of the Greek Philosophers
Modesty is the chastity of merit, the virginity of noble souls.
—Emile de Girardin (1806–81) French Journalist, Publisher
True modesty avoids everything that is criminal; false modesty everything that is unfashionable.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Fidelity to conscience is inconsistent with retiring modesty. If it be so, let the modesty succumb. It can be only a false modesty which can be thus endangered.
—Harriet Martineau (1802–76) English Sociologist, Economist, Essayist, Philosopher
That is the consolation of a little mind; you have the fun of changing it without impeding the progress of mankind.
—Frank Moore Colby (1865–1925) American Encyclopedia Editor, Essayist
The modest man has everything to gain, and the arrogant man everything to lose, for modesty has always to deal with generosity, and arrogance with envy.
—Antoine de Rivarol (1753–1801) French Writer, Epigrammatist
Modesty forbids what the law does not.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
In the modesty of fearful duty, I read as much as from the rattling tongue of saucy and audacious eloquence.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
A modest person seldom fails to gain the good will of those he converses with, because nobody envies a man who does not appear to be pleased with himself.
—Richard Steele (1672–1729) Irish Writer, Politician
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
Modesty and humility are the sobriety of the mind, as temperance and chastity are of the body.
—Benjamin Whichcote (1609–83) British Anglican Priest, Theologian, Philosopher
I have often wished I had time to cultivate modesty. But I am too busy thinking about myself.
—Edith Sitwell (1887–1964) British Poet, Literary Critic
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
A good man is modest.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
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