A lot of men who have accepted – or had imposed upon them in boyhood – the old English public school styles of careful modesty in speech, with much understatement, have behind their masks an appalling and impregnable conceit of themselves.

With a woman of sophistication, class and modesty and refinement, I become a totally tongue-tied buffoon. I can’t even look her straight in the face.

Journalists ask me, ‘Why don’t you ever talk about sex in your performances?’ True, I don’t talk about sex – not in my personal life and not in my professional life. This is modesty.

Modesty was made for the ugly.

What should be covered must be covered. Women should not trouble others by wearing jeans.

Strive not with your superiors in argument, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty.

Great modesty often hides great merit.