Verbally Convincing

There are collection of adjectives that, by their nature, cannot be used in verbal self-declaration. One that comes to mind is the word: Humble. One cannot turn to another and make the claim, no matter how simply put, that "I am humble." We do not find any truly humble person making this kind of proclamation, as if verbal convincing were necessary to notify others of that characteristic that inherently must be apparent to others without being stated.


Another example is the virtue of being lady-like. The tongue-in-cheek phrase has a ring of truth to it:

"Being a lady is such that if you have to convince others that you are, then you aren't."

This virtue of being lady-like, in a way is like humility. Another is 'modesty'. And 'righteous'. These traits are of such lofty caliber that others outside of one's self must be pointed out, if one truly is in their possession.

In a way, these are gifts that a worthy person would long to possess, but once in one's possession cannot be told to others, or else it is lost by one's own declaration of having it.

So if we really think we're humble or modest or gentlemanly or lady-like (or any character worthy of possession) ... has someone else let you know, or is it something you decided on your own?

Can any of you think of other traits like these? Please drop a comment if one comes to mind.