Pastoral Resources

Because impudence is a vice, it does not follow that modesty is a virtue; it is built upon shame, a passion in our nature, and may be either good or bad according to the actions performed from that motive.

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.

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

True it is that covetousness is rich, modesty starves.

Some are blessed with musical ability, others with good looks. Myself, I was blessed with modesty.

Our life is half natural and half technological. Half-and-half is good. You cannot deny that high-tech is progress. We need it for jobs. Yet if you make only high-tech, you make war. So we must have a strong human element to keep modesty and natural life.

We must watch over our modesty in the presence of those who cannot understand its grounds.

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

'Sex' is as important as eating or drinking and we ought to allow the one appetite to be satisfied with as little restraint or false modesty as the other.

With people of limited ability modesty is merely honesty. But with those who possess great talent it is hypocrisy.

I knew I was a winner back in the late sixties. I knew I was destined for great things. People will say that kind of thinking is totally immodest. I agree. Modesty is not a word that applies to me in any way - I hope it never will.

Modesty forbids what the law does not.

Modesty is a quality in a lover more praised by the women than liked.

Modesty is the color of virtue.

I have often wished I had time to cultivate modesty... but I am too busy thinking about myself.

Loquacity storms the ear, but modesty takes the heart.

Nothing can atone for the lack of modesty; without which beauty is ungraceful and wit detestable.

As blushing will sometimes make a whore pass for a virtuous woman, so modesty may make a fool seem a man of sense.

Modesty should be typical of the success of a champion.

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.