Wagging tongues from prejudiced, sophisticated facade of show-off people can never blemish any honest, genuine, golden heart.
Much of someone's real character lies in what they don't say about themselves.
The best writers I've read possess oodles of self-doubt, yet claw their way up with each work and remain humble. Boastful ones, not so much.
It's better to find success through God, than finding it on one's own merits; some who usually find their own success become boastful, where through God it's with gratitude.
I have never consciously boasted myself but from hereon I make a point not to even unconsciously undermine or degrade myself!