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Character Quote by William Hazlitt

“Modesty is the lowest of the virtues, and is a confession of the deficiency it indicates. He who undervalues himself is justly overvalued by others.” quote by William Hazlitt
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“Modesty is the lowest of the virtues, and is a confession of the deficiency it indicates. He who undervalues himself is justly overvalued by others.”

William Hazlitt

About This Quote

Source Essay: “On Modesty”, 1819

Modesty masks self‑devaluation, leading others to overestimate you; true confidence requires honest self‑assessment.

In simple terms: Modesty can hide low self‑esteem.

Key Takeaway

Seek honest self‑evaluation.

Themes

self‑esteem confidence humility

Mood

analytical reflective

Type

philosophical advice

When to use this quote

  • personal development
  • leadership
  • team dynamics

Key Concepts

self‑assessment social perception

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance humility and confidence?
  • When does modesty become a hindrance?
A Different Perspective

Over‑confidence can be risky.

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