Don't be humble . . . you're not that great.

Attributed to Golda Meir, the line is a sharp, ironic rebuke to performative modesty. It suggests that “humility” can sometimes be a social pose—an attempt to preempt criticism or solicit reassurance—rather than an honest assessment of one’s abilities. By puncturing inflated self-importance, the remark pushes the listener toward realism and accountability: if you are not exceptional, act accordingly and improve rather than hiding behind faux self-deprecation. The humor also reflects a political temperament that valued bluntness and practicality over ceremony, using wit to enforce clear-eyed self-evaluation.

1) "Don’t be so humble — you’re not that great."
2) "Don’t be humble. You’re not that great."