Modesty is the only sure bait when you angle for praise. Lord Chesterfield
His modesty amounts to deformity. Margot Asquith (on her husband)
Modesty is not only an ornament, but also a guard to virtue. Joseph Addison
Modesty is the conscience of the body. Honore de Balzac
The English instinctively admire any man who has no talent and is modest about it. James Agate
Modesty is a vastly overrated virtue. J K Galbraith
Modesty, The gentle art of enhancing your charm by pretending not to be aware of it. Ambrose Bierce
With people with only modest ability, modesty is mere honesty; but with those who possess great talent it is hypocrisy. Arthur Schopenhauer