Praise your friends, and let your friends praise you. - James Burgh

Do well, but do not boast of it; for that will lessen the commendation you might otherwise have deserved.

Do not endeavour to shine in all companies. Leave room for your hearers to imagine something within you beyond all you have said. And remember, the more you are praised, the more you will be envied.

If you would have a right to account of things from illiterate people, let them tell their story in their own way; if you put them upon talking according to logical rules, you will confound them.