Good taste is the modesty of the mind; that is why it cannot be either imitated or acquired.

- Delphine de Girardin

A just and reasonable modesty does not only recommend eloquence, but sets off every great talent which a man can be possessed of.

- Joseph Addison

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

- Joseph Addison

True it is that covetousness is rich, modesty starves.

- John Milton

Modesty is a vastly overrated virtue.

- John Kenneth Galbraith

Although modesty is natural to man, it is not natural to children. Modesty only begins with the knowledge of evil.

- Jean-Jacques Rousseau

At least I have the modesty to admit that lack of modesty is one of my failings.

- Hector Berlioz

Modesty is the conscience of the body.

- Honore de Balzac

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

To test a modest man's modesty do not investigate if he ignores applause, find out if he abides criticism.

- Franz Grillparzer

Modesty is not one of my virtues.

- Alan King

Modesty is the color of virtue.

- Diogenes

False modesty can be worse than arrogance.

- David Mitchell

To forgive and to be forgiven are the two points of holy magnificence and holy modesty; round these two centres the whole doctrine of largesse revolves.

- Charles Williams

No age, sex, or condition is above or below the absolute necessity of modesty; but without it one is vastly beneath the rank of man.

- Bernard Barton

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 Barton

There are no better cosmetics than a severe temperance and purity, modesty and humility, a gracious temper and calmness of spirit; and there is no true beauty without the signatures of these graces in the very countenance.

- Arthur Helps

I think that for the highest achievements nowadays... need to have the stable as a rock scientific base. And also need to own modesty.

- Alexander Alekhine

I think in the world of indie music there's this sort of false modesty.

- Alex Kapranos

Modesty and unselfishness - these are the virtues which men praise - and pass by.

- Andre Maurois