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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 July 2022
Of Modesty. Its Nature. Its Original. Its Effects and Consequences.
MODESTY is a comely Grace in the Behaviour of a Man, by which he piously dissembleth his own Perfections, and blusheth at his Praises. It springeth from a certain fear and sence of his Imperfection. ’Tis the shadow of Guilt, and a beautiful cover of Original Corruption. It is sometimes Natural, and, which is contrary to all other Vertues, more truly vertuous for being so. For then it is Simple, Genuine, and Real; but studied Modesty is affected and artificial: yet where Nature has not been so obliging as to give the endowment, ’tis not altogether to be condemned, since it is agreeable to the best of our conditions in this World, and supplies a defect in his Nature, that is born without it.
IT is akin to Shame, yet increases the honour of him that wears it; it is the shade of Vertue, yet makes it brighter: It is a tincture of Humility, visible in a vermilion and deeper die; and the more natural and easie, the more sweet and delightful.
IT charms the Envy of those that admire us, and by seeming to extinguish our worth gives it a double beauty. It reconciles a man to the Enemies of his Grace and Vertue, and by a softness irresistible wins a Compassion in all Spectators. It is a Vertue which by refusing the honour that is due unto it, acquireth more; a real Counterfeit, and the only honest and true dissimulation. It is an effeminate, yet a laudable quality; a spice of Cowardice, more prevalent than Courage; a Vertue by which we despise all meaner Honours, while we are ambitiously carried to the highest Glory. It seemeth inconsistent with Magnanimity, yet is her youngest Sister.
IT hath not many Objects, nor are its Aims apparent, nor its Ends conspicuous. It is the Mother of fine and delicate Resentments; its strength consisteth in tenderness and fear. He that is Magnanimous in one respect, may be modest in another. Praises and Commendations are the fuel of its Nature, it feedeth upon them, while it grows by rejecting them. It delights in what it feareth; and is full of discords, but more full of harmonies.
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