One day the Chafetz Chaim was travelling home in a carriage. He struck up a conversation with his fellow passenger. It turned out that his companion was going to see the Chafetz Chaim when he went on to praise him for his great scholarship, charity and saintliness.
The Rabbi reacted by saying that the Chafetz Chaim did not merit such praise.
At once his fellow attacked and berated him.
The Chafetz Chaim taught afterward that one must be careful not to denigrate oneself.
It is good be modest. It is also good to be truthful. There is a balance to be maintained between the two.
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