Character Quote by Arthur Schopenhauer
““The paltry character of most men compels the few who have any merit or genius to behave as though they did not know their own value, and consequently did not know other people's want of value; for it is only on this condition that the mob acquiesces in tolerating merit. A virtue has been made out of this necessity, and it is called modesty.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Parerga and Paralipomena by Arthur Schopenhauer, 1851
People often hide their worth, leading society to undervalue merit, which is then labeled modesty.
In simple terms: Hidden talent is mistaken for humility.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and assert your true value.
Themes
humility
self‑esteem
social dynamics
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- team collaboration
- leadership
- social activism
Key Concepts
psychology
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you downplayed your abilities?
- How can you balance modesty with self‑advocacy?
A Different Perspective
Modesty can be misused to suppress excellence.
![“[T]he appropriate form of address between man and man ought to be, not monsieur, sir, but fellow sufferer, compagnon de miseres.” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/be6/arthur-schopenhauer-226_addresses_t-he-appropriate-form-of-address-between_32897.jpg)
![“[Materialism] seeks the primary and most simple state of matter, and then tries to develop all the others from it; ascending from mere mechanism, to chemism, to polarity, to the vegetable and to the animal kingdom. And if we suppose this to have been done, the last link in the chain would be…” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/88c/arthur-schopenhauer-226_animal-kingdom_materialism-seeks-the-primary-and-most-s_50402.jpg)
