Modesty and conscientiousness receive their reward only in novels. In — Modesty

"True intelligence very readily conceives of an intelligence superior to its own; and this is why truly intelligent men are modest."

"Modesty is to merit, what shade is to figures in a picture; it gives it strength and makes it stand out."

"A modest person seldom fails to gain the goodwill of those he converses with, because nobody envies a man who does not appear to be pleased with himself."

"Modesty is that feeling by which honorable shame acquires a valuable and lasting authority."

"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."

"On the contrary, modesty seldom resides in a breast that is not enriched with nobler virtues."