Who said “Fidelity to conscience is inconsistent with retiring modesty. If it be so, let the…”?

Verified

Harriet Martineau. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceWomen, vol. 3, Society in America (1837).

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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“Fidelity to conscience is inconsistent with retiring modesty. If it be so, let the modesty succumb. It can be only a false modesty which can be thus endangered.”
VerifiedWomen, vol. 3, Society in America (1837). · evidenceModesty

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Women, vol. 3, Society in America (1837)..

APA

Martineau, H. (n.d.). Fidelity to conscience is inconsistent with retiring modesty. If it be so, let the modesty succumb. It can be only a false modesty which can be thus endangered. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/29557-fidelity-to-conscience-is-inconsistent-with-retiring-modesty/

MLA

Martineau, Harriet. “Fidelity to conscience is inconsistent with retiring modesty. If it be so, let the modesty succumb. It can be only a false modesty which can be thus endangered.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/29557-fidelity-to-conscience-is-inconsistent-with-retiring-modesty/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Martineau, Harriet. “Fidelity to conscience is inconsistent with retiring modesty. If it be so, let the modesty succumb. It can be only a false modesty which can be thus endangered.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/29557-fidelity-to-conscience-is-inconsistent-with-retiring-modesty/.