modesty

Modest doubt is call'd The beacon of the wise.

In peace there's nothing so becomes a man As modest stillness and humility: But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the tiger; Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood, Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage; Then lend the eye a terrible aspect; . . . . Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide, Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit To his full height. On, on, you noblest English.

In peace there's nothing so becomes a man As modest stillness and humility: But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the tiger; Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood. . . .

Can you nominate in order now the degrees of the lie? I will name you the degrees. The first, the Retort Courteous; the second, the Quip Modest; the third, the Reply Churlish; the fourth, the Reproof Valiant; the fifth; the Countercheck Quarrelsome; the sixth, the Lie with Circumstance; the seventh, the Lie Direct. All these you may avoid but the Lie Direct; and you may avoid that too, with an If. . . . Your If is the only peace-maker; much virtue in If.

But still remember, if you mean to please, To press your point with modesty and ease.

If you wish to be loved, be modest; if you wish to be admired, be proud; if you wish both, combine external modesty with internal pride.

Timidity is mistrust of self, and proceeds not from modesty but from conceit. A man is timid because he is afraid of not appearing to his best advantage.

I built a ship-a great large ship, And Pride stood at the helm And steered for Fame, that wondrous land, And Wealth-bright, golden realm! And Pride was captain, mate, and crew, And launched my ship with much ado. "Now go, my ship, my great, great ship, And laugh the winds to scorn." And lo, my ship came back to me All broken, bent. and torn! I built a ship, a lovely ship, With modern wings of white, And thought not of bright Wealth or Fame, But Service rose in sight. Love was my captain, mate, and crew And launched my ship without ado. "Now go, my ship, my lowly ship, Thy modest wings unfold." And lo, my ship came dancing back Just weighted down with gold!

The truth is a young maiden as modest as she is beautiful, and therefore she is always seen cloaked."

Not that I had any special reason for hating school. Strange as it may seem to my readers, I was not unpopular there. I was a modest, good-humoured boy. It is Oxford that has made me insufferable.