Modesty is the only sure bait when you angle for praise.

Modesty is the only sure bait when you angle for praise.

Modesty: the gentle art of enhancing your charm by pretending not to be aware of it.

Modesty: the gentle art of enhancing your charm by pretending not to be aware of it.

A fishing pole is a stick with a hook at one end and a fool on the other

A fishing pole is a stick with a hook at one end and a fool on the other

Modesty is not only an ornament, but also a guard to virtue.

Modesty is not only an ornament, but also a guard to virtue.

The line with its rod is a long instrument whose lesser end holds
a small reptile, while the other read more

The line with its rod is a long instrument whose lesser end holds
a small reptile, while the other is held by a great fool.
[Fr., La ligne avec sa canne est un long instrument,
Dont le plus mince bout tient un petit reptile,
Et dont Pautre est tenu pau un grand imbecile.]

Modesty in woman is a virtue most deserving, since we do all we can to cure her of it

Modesty in woman is a virtue most deserving, since we do all we can to cure her of it

Of all the world's enjoyments
That ever valued were,
There's none of our employments
read more

Of all the world's enjoyments
That ever valued were,
There's none of our employments
With fishing can compare.
- Thomas Durfee (or D'Urfey),

He takes the greatest ornament from friendship, who takes modesty
from it.
[Lat., Maximum ornamentum amicitiae tollit, qui read more

He takes the greatest ornament from friendship, who takes modesty
from it.
[Lat., Maximum ornamentum amicitiae tollit, qui ex ea tollit
verecudiam.]

Modesty may make a fool seem a man of sense.

Modesty may make a fool seem a man of sense.