A Quote by Paulo Coelho

We must not confuse humility with false modesty or servility.

Paulo Coelho

Quote Topics

Confuse False False Modesty Humility Modesty Must Servility

Quote Author

Paulo Coelho
Brazilian - Novelist
Born: August 24, 1947

Let us be absolutely clear about one thing: we must not confuse humility with false modesty or servility.

Paulo Coelho

One who has an inferiority complex can never be really humble, but can only have false modesty or false humility.

Sri Chinmoy

True humility is more like self-forgetfulness than false modesty.

C. S. Lewis

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

False modesty is an attempt to tear yourself down. True humility focuses more on build up others.

Tony Dungy

There is a false modesty, which is vanity; a false glory, which is levity; a false grandeur, which is meanness; a false virtue, which is hypocrisy, and a false wisdom, which is prudery.

Jean de la Bruyere

Modesty is a learned affectation. It's no good. Humility is great, because humility says, 'There was someone before me. I'm following in somebody's footsteps.'

Maya Angelou

Nothing can be further apart than true humility and servility.

Henry Ward Beecher

When entering on new ground we must not be afraid to express even risky ideas so as to stimulate research in all directions. As Priestley put it, we must not remain inactive through false modesty based on fear of being mistaken.

Claude Bernard

Modesty and reverence are no less virtues of freemen than the democratic feeling which will submit neither to arrogance nor to servility.

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

Without modesty, woman is devoid of beauty and culture. Humility, purity of thought and manners, meekness, surrender to high ideals, sensitivity, sweetness of temper - the peculiar blend of all these qualities is modesty. It is the most invaluable of all jewels for women.

Sathya Sai Baba

True modesty avoids everything that is criminal; false modesty everything that is unfashionable.

Joseph Addison

We are aware that the order of God requires the exercise of humility, but not of servility of slaves; but a humility that can be associated with undoubted courage and unflinching integrity; at the same time there is no room for pride, self-sufficient pride, that rests solely upon its own capabilities, and refuses to look for the support and countenance of others.--MS 7:91 [MS is the Millenial Star]