--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Chinese have an excellent proverb…" description: "\"The Chinese have an excellent proverb: \"Be modest in speech, but excel in action.\" — Horace Mann" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c63/horace-mann-2022_action_the-chinese-have-an-excellent-proverb-be_822291.png" --- # The Chinese have an excellent proverb: "Be modest in… ![“The Chinese have an excellent proverb: "Be modest in speech, but excel in action.” quote by Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c63/horace-mann-2022_action_the-chinese-have-an-excellent-proverb-be_822291.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c63/horace-mann-2022_action_the-chinese-have-an-excellent-proverb-be_822291.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c63/horace-mann-2022_action_the-chinese-have-an-excellent-proverb-be_822291.png) > “The Chinese have an excellent proverb: "Be modest in speech, but excel in action.” [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Modesty in words is valued, but actions should demonstrate excellence. **In simple terms:** Speak modestly, act boldly. Key Takeaway Prioritize deeds over words. Themes humility action excellence Mood encouraging determined Type motivational practical When to use this quote - classroom teaching - community service - political advocacy - personal goals Key Concepts Ethics leadership Questions to Reflect On - When should you speak up? - How do actions reinforce modest speech? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on modesty may hide needed confidence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Chinese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chinese/) [Chinese Excellent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chinese-excellent-483730/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Excellent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellent/) [Excellent Proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellent-proverb-483728/) [Modest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modest/) [Modest Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modest-speech-483729/) [Proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proverb/) [Proverb Modest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proverb-modest-483727/) [Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech/) ## Related quotes > [A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-superior-man-is-modest-in-his-speech-but-exceeds-in-his-actions/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Be modest in speech, but excel in action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/be-modest-in-speech-but-excel-in-action/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-is-modest-in-his-speech-but-exceeds-in-his-actions/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [“Some people hate people who are overconfident, only because their overconfidence reminds them of their underconfidence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/some-people-hate-people-who-are-overconfident-only-because-their/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [“Yes, the world is an illusion. 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