It may be suggested that this involves either having a genuinely low estimate of one’s own abilities or achievements, or at least behaving in a way that suggests it. But it would then be puzzling that modesty should be admired as a virtue, since the first alternative involves an error, and without the first the second involves insincerity or hypocrisy. A better approach might be to say that the modest person need have no particular view about their own merits, and need not intend to dissemble about them, but simply does not desire the applause of other people, and is content to stay in the shade.