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A vain man finds it wise to speak good or ill of himself…

“A vain man finds it wise to speak good or ill of himself; a modest man does not talk of himself.” quote by Jean de la Bruyere
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“A vain man finds it wise to speak good or ill of himself; a modest man does not talk of himself.”

Jean de la Bruyere

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A vain person boasts about themselves, while modesty avoids self‑praise.

In simple terms: Modesty avoids bragging.

Key Takeaway

Practice humility.

Themes

humility vanity self‑perception

Mood

reflective serious

Type

philosophical personal

When to use this quote

  • social interactions
  • leadership
  • public speaking

Key Concepts

self‑awareness modesty

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you speak of your achievements?
  • When is self‑promotion appropriate?
A Different Perspective

Modesty may be misread as lack of confidence.

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