MOCK MODESTY.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20270, 12 August 1937, Page 10

MOCK MODESTY.

The habit of self-depreciation Is easy, and, In a way, appealing, states a writer in the Melbourne Age. We secretly congratulate ourselves on being frank, free from conceit, alive to the truth about things. And the habit thrives with encouragement. It raises a laugh, and puts us on a level with the rest of the world. It is disarming for those who would otherwise be disposed to belittle us themselves, and altogether it puts us right out of the way of being classed among those who suffer from illusions. When a woman repeatedly declares, “I am such a poor housewife,” and a girl says, *‘l really haven’t the brains to understand So-and-So’s books,” each is well on the way to developing in a still less favourable direction. Modesty is an excellent virtue in Its prop.er place, but this version of it is a rase of the pride that apes humility, rather than modesty in its best sense. -It is an attitude of mind distinctly against t.he development of self-reliance and self-respect, an attitude which does nothing to arouse reliance and respect in others. It is weakening instead of strengthening. It repels rather than attracts. While being careful -to harbour no foolish illusions as to our own powers and -character, it is well to allow othors to discover for themselves what the powers and character may be. By advertising shortcomings, we but Increase their hold over us, and rendej% ourselves unable to overcome them and to Improve.