Thanks for the timely advice that I, along with many, need to hear often. First, it reminded me happily of this admonishment, attributed to Golda Meir: “Don’t be so humble. You are not that great.”

I try to keep this in mind. Once I accept the Nobel, then I’ll try to look as if I don’t think I’m the shit, you guys. Until then, I will try to avoid shambling around oozing that fake false modesty. It is not attractive.

Second, I also recall that pretending we don’t think our offerings are very good is NOT a substitute for giving credit to whomever or whatever helped us complete the work. It does not detract from our success to remember that it depends upon a variable mixture of talent, hard work, luck, privilege, timing, and the support of others. There are people who never give that credit — you know, they were “born on third base; thought they hit a triple.” I don’t want to be those people.

And finally, badmouthing our own creation is NOT the same as critiquing it and improving it. All those agonized disclaimers just makes us look as if you were too lazy to make it right, but you put it out there anyway because you didn’t think your readers would notice… Not very flattering to your readers, is it?

So…. I’m with you, Jon; right on. And write on.