My list of virtues contain at first but twelve: But a Quaker Friend, having kindly inform me that I was generally thought proud; that my Pride show itself frequently in Conversation; that I was not content with being in the right when discussing any point, but was overbearing and rather insolent; of which he convinced me by mentioning several Instances; I determined endeavoring to cure myself if I could of this Vice or Folly among the rest, and I added Humility to my List, giving an extensive Meaning to the Word.

I cannot boast of much Success in Acquiring the Reality of this Virtue; but I had a good deal with regard to the Appearance of it. I made it a Rule to forbear all direct Contradiction to the Sentiment of others, and all positive Assertion of my own. I even forbid myself agreeable to the old Laws of our Junto, the Use of every Word or Expression in the Language that imported a fix opinion; such as certainly, undoubtedly, etc. and I adapted instead of them, I conceive, I apprehend, or I imagine a thing to be so, or it appears to me at present. When another asserted something that I thought an Error, I deny myself the Pleasure of contradicting him abruptly, and of showing immediately some Absurdity in his Proposition; and in answering I began by observing that in certain Cases or Circumstances his Opinion would be right, but that in the present case there appear or seem to me some Difference, etc. I soon found the Advantage of this Change in my Manners.

The Conversations I engaged in went on more pleasantly. The modest way in which I propos my Opinions procur them a readier Reception and less Contradiction; I had less Mortification when I was found to be in the wrong, and I more easily prevail with others to give up their Mistakes and join with me when I happen to be in the right. And this Mode, which I at first put on, with some violence to natural inclination, became at length so easy and so habitual to me, that perhaps for these Fifty Years past, no one has ever heard a dogmatical Expression escape me. And to this habit (after my Character of Integrity) I think it principally owing, that I had so much Weight with my Fellow Citizens, when I proposed new Institutions, or Alterations in the Old; and so much Influence in Public councils when I became a Member. For I was a bad speaker, never eloquent, subject to much Hesitation in my choice of words, hardly correct in language, and yet I generally carried my Points.