The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.

People who promise less than they deliver earn a particular kind of trust. Their words become reliable because the results always match or exceed them, whereas someone who talks big and delivers average slowly teaches everyone to discount what they say. Modesty in speech is not false humility here; it is a way of keeping your word worth something.

Look at a recent commitment you made and ask whether you described it bigger than you could realistically deliver. Next time, state only what you are confident of achieving, then quietly aim past it. Let the surplus speak for you.