Diffidence

Some were put off by what they termed his diffidence, his driving ambition and perfectionism. ❋ George W. Smith (2003)

And since monetary policy in a liquidity trap must work mainly through its effect on expectations, such diffidence is not only an abdication of responsibility; it undermines the effectiveness of whatever monetary expansion actually takes place. ❋ Unknown (2010)

And George W. Bush's blatant diffidence is annoying, too -- not that he has even the tiniest shred of credibility left, but it would be nice if he sort of tried to say or do something comforting in these bleak days. ❋ Unknown (2008)

I differ with great diffidence from the learned Baron whose Oriental reading was extensive; but the tale does not seem to justify his explanations. ❋ Unknown (2006)

So often one comes across a passage as perfectly cut and honed as that one, uttered with a certain diffidence and yet — as is frequent with perfectionists — the product of much silent labor, reflection, and, I might add, stoicism. ❋ Unknown (2004)

But there was also a certain diffidence about coming once again to the Empire Club, for I would think the 11th or 12th time. ❋ Unknown (1952)

After that he felt much better and I feel better from the reflection that no doubt Lord Willingdon, Lord Byng, or even to go back into the past to that master of wit and eloquence, Lord Dufferin, that all of these may have experienced also a certain diffidence when they first went into action over the top of a Toronto luncheon table. ❋ Unknown (1931)

With a certain diffidence, looking first to see if I would allow it, they gently pushed back my hat to look at my hair, drew back my sleeves, lifted my skirts, and laughed immoderately at my boots. ❋ Unknown (1887)

I had thought that I was born and had lived, devoid of that form of self consciousness which is called diffidence, although it is only an expression of egotism; but for the first time in my life I found myself ill at ease, and wondering if I was appearing to advantage. ❋ Ross Beeckman (N/A)

And those with whom I shared the news, although excited no less than I, accepted them also with some degree of diffidence, which is only natural in Russians: life indulges us so rarely and so reluctantly. ❋ Avrahm Yarmolinsky (1895)

As he got into bed he thought how lately she had been a girl at school, doing lessons like his own daughter; he recalled the diffidence, the angularity, that was still manifest in her laugh and her manner of talking with a stranger. ❋ Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (1882)

By contrast, Rudy Giuliani expressed a kind of diffidence towards his audiences. ❋ Unknown (2008)

“I beg your pardon, sir,” he said to my guardian with a manly kind of diffidence, ❋ Unknown (2007)

Abraham, according to the inferior portion of his soul spoke words testifying in him a kind of diffidence when the angel announced unto him the happy tidings of a son. ❋ 1567-1622 (1884)

They had in common that personal diffidence which is one of the phases of pride, and which proves so fruitful a source of misunderstandings. ❋ George Gissing (1880)

At this point Wanhope hesitated with a kind of diffidence that was rather charming in him. ❋ William Dean Howells (1878)

the [youth] [sat down] as directed, but [reluctantly] and with diffidence. ❋ Monikas (2015)

"Man, [Robert] lacks [confidence] in others and is so distrustful." [Y'know], there's a word for that. It's called diffident. "Man, Robert is so diffident." Now you're learning. ❋ Sh4k3rW1ll (2010)