C.N. Douglas, comp. Forty Thousand Quotations: Prose and Poetical. 1917.

Diffidence

Diffidence is a sort of false modesty.

Thackeray.

Diffidence is not always innocence.

Mme. Necker.

Mere bashfulness without merit is awkward.

Thomas Hughes.

We are as often duped by diffidence as by confidence.

Chesterfield.

Persons extremely reserved are like old enamelled watches, which had painted covers, that hindered your seeing what o’clock it was.

Walpole.

A tardiness in nature,
Which often leaves the history unspoke,
That it intends to do.

Shakespeare.

Diffidence may check resolution and obstruct performance, but compensates its embarrassments by more important advantages; it conciliates the proud, and softens the severe; averts envy from excellence, and censure from miscarriage.

Johnson.

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