---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A person is bound to lose when he talks…"
description: "\"A person is bound to lose when he talks about himself; if he belittles himself, he is believed; if he praises himself, he isn't believed.\" — Michel de ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b44/michel-de-montaigne-142_belittle_a-person-is-bound-to-lose-when-he-talks_347532.jpg"
---

#  A person is bound to lose when he talks about himself; if…

![“A person is bound to lose when he talks about himself; if he belittles himself, he is believed; if he praises himself, he isn't believed.” quote by Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b44/michel-de-montaigne-142_belittle_a-person-is-bound-to-lose-when-he-talks_347532.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b44/michel-de-montaigne-142_belittle_a-person-is-bound-to-lose-when-he-talks_347532.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b44/michel-de-montaigne-142_belittle_a-person-is-bound-to-lose-when-he-talks_347532.jpg)

> “A person is bound to lose when he talks about himself; if he belittles himself, he is believed; if he praises himself, he isn't believed.”

[Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/)

## About This Quote

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

Self‑praise is distrusted, self‑deprecation is accepted; humility gains credibility, arrogance loses it.

**In simple terms:** People trust modesty over bragging.

Key Takeaway

Speak modestly to be believed.

Themes

humility credibility self‑presentation

Mood

cautious analytical

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- job interviews
- public speaking
- networking
- personal branding

Key Concepts

social perception ego communication

Questions to Reflect On

- When should you assert your achievements?
- How can you balance honesty and modesty?

A Different Perspective

Excessive humility may undermine confidence.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bounds/) [Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise/)

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> [ Whoever is kind to you, be kind to them, and whoever belittles you be kind to yourself \[by ignoring him\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/whoever-is-kind-to-you-be-kind-to-them-and-whoever-belittles-you-be/)

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## More by Michel de Montaigne

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