The modesty's a candle to thy merit.

The modesty's a candle to thy merit.

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.]

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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