Modest doubt is call'd

The beacon of the wise, the tent that searches

To the bottom of the worst.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Troilus and Cressida. Act ii. Sc. 2.

On their own merits modest men are dumb.

George Colman, The Younger (1762-1836): Epilogue to the Heir at Law.

Implied

Subjection, but requir'd with gentle sway,

And by her yielded, by him best receiv'd,—

Yielded with coy submission, modest pride,

And sweet, reluctant, amorous delay.

John Milton (1608-1674): Paradise Lost. Book iv. Line 307.

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more,

Or close the wall up with our English dead!

In peace there's nothing so becomes a man

As modest stillness and humility;

But when the blast of war blows in our ears,

Then imitate the action of the tiger:

Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): King Henry V. Act iii. Sc. 1.

Zealous, yet modest; innocent, though free;

Patient of toil, serene amidst alarms;

Inflexible in faith, invincible in arms.

James Beattie (1735-1803): The Minstrel. Book i. Stanza 11.