Bragging Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old bragging quotes, bragging sayings, and bragging proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.

Bragging is not an attractive trait, but let's be honest. A man who catches a big fish doesn't go home through an alley. Ann Landers
The feller that brags about how cheap he heats his home always sees the first robin. Kin Hubbard
He who is humble is confident and wise. He who brags is insecure and lacking. Lisa Edmondson
If you done it, it ain't bragging. Walt Whitman
Tell me what you brag about and I'll tell you what you lack. Spanish Proverb
He who truly knows has no occasion to shout. Leonardo da Vinci
It's not bragging if you can back it up. Muhammad Ali
A braggart is recognized by his headgear. Namibian Proverb
You have to do a little bragging on yourself even to your relatives-man doesn't get anywhere without advertising. John Nance Garner
The biggest challenge after success is shutting up about it. Criss Jami
Who knows himself a braggart, let him fear this, for it will come to pass that every braggart shall be found an ass. William Shakespeare
You have to give yourself credit, not too much because that would be bragging. Frank McCourt
If I cannot brag of knowing something, then I brag of not knowing it; at any rate, brag. Ralph Waldo Emerson
If I seem to boast more than is becoming, my excuse is that I brag for humanity rather than for myself. Henry David Thoreau
The dog who barks the loudest is not always the best watcher, neither are braggadocios the most valiant. William Scott Downey
The only way to cure an egotist from bragging is by surgery--amputation at the neck. Evan Esar
Perhaps the less we have, the more we are required to brag. John Steinbeck
Mankind in general seem to take about as much pride in bragging of their faults as of their virtues. H. W. SHAW
Bragging is an ailment, Bragging is a blight; Bragging is an attribute Of a silly wight. RALPH M. THOMSON
Don't brag. It is not the whistle that moves the train. D. V. Rangarajan
With a braggart, it's no sooner done than said. Evan Esar
Now I'm not too keen about bragging on myself but you must admit I was the best. Kim S. Jones
It ain't bragging if you can do it. Dizzy Dean
Blow your own horn loud. If you succeed, people will forgive your noise; if you fail, they'll forget it. William Feather
Great boast, small roast. Chinese Proverb
There is also this benefit in brag, that the speaker is unconsciously expressing his own ideal. Humor him by all means, draw it all out, and hold him to it. Ralph Waldo Emerson
People never have confidence in a Big Talker. They know his statements must be cut down, but they can never tell how much. Edgar Watson Howe
Noise proves nothing. Often a hen who has merely laid an egg cackles as if she had laid an asteroid. Mark Twain
It's as difficult to be rich without bragging as it is to be poor without complaining. Chinese Proverbs
Every man who praises himself brushes the luster from his best efforts. Ellen Gould White
Bragging saves advertising. American Proverbs
It is far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help. Judith Martin
Do you wish men to speak well of you? Then never speak well of yourself. Blaise Pascal
Be wiser than other people, if you can, but do not tell them so. Lord Chesterfield
It isn't what a man knows, but what he thinks he knows that he brags about. George Horace Lorimer
For God hates utterly the bray of bragging tongues. Sophocles
Mere flimflam stories, and nothing but shams and lies. Miguel de Cervantes
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Bible, Proverbs 27:1
Bragging: The patter of tiny feats. Anonymous
A loaded wagon makes no noise. Proverb
Empty vessels make most noise. Proverb
The person who has nothing to brag about but their ancestors is like a potato; the best part of them is underground. Sir Thomas Overbury
There's no such thing as bragging. You're either lying or telling the truth. Al Oliver
Boasts are wind and deeds are hard. Isaac Asimov
A person is bound to lose when he talks about himself; if he belittles himself, he is believed; if he praises himself, he isn't believed. Michel de Montaigne
Its not bragging if its true. Sara Shepard
You have to give yourself credit, not too much because that would be bragging. Frank McCourt
Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut. Ernest Hemingway
The really tough thing about humility is you can't brag about it. Gene Brown
What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself. Abraham Lincoln
You need to be a billionaire with a TV show to make bragging funny, and if you aren't, you just look like an ass. Christopher Bedford
The more time I have spent on famous rivers, the less I have enjoyed the angling. The trouble with big fish is that they attract people who are interested in bragging. M.R. Montgomery
Why was I repulsed by some people's bragging behaviors, yet could tolerate—heck, in some special cases, was riveted by — other's? What was it that distinguished a repellent brag from a palatable one. Karan Tewari
Bragging done right was found to be good for one's career or business. Renee Weisman
Contrary to many people would expect, those who bragged about themselves were actually seen as more competent and less of a braggart than those who bragged about others. Renee Weisman
A job is not done well unless you speak for yourself. Renee Weisman
If you can't brag of knowing something, then brag of not knowing it. At any rate brag. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Start bragging... If you don't speak up for yourself, who will? Financial Times
But...bragging is egocentric, disgusting, obnoxious, self-aggrandizing, and just plain wrong. Peggy Klaus
Bragging is a necessity— not a choice— you want to do more than just exist in a job; that is, be successful in your eyes and to others. It isn't conceit; it is being forthcoming about who you are, what you have done, and what you are capable of doing. Caitlin Williams
At its core, bragging is a very individual form of self-expression and communication. Peggy Klaus
Bragging better is using the facts to shine and tell the truth about the work you've done. Meredith Fineman
A session of boasting won't attract any real friends. It will set you up on a pedestal, however, making you a clearer target. Richelle E. Goodrich
A good deed is not a good deed if you brag about it. Jeffrey Bernardo
Some of the people who are showing off their speed are headed in the wrong direction. Mokokoma Mokhonoana
Bragging about yourself violates norms of modesty and politeness - and if you were really competent, your work would speak for itself. Adam Grant
Braggarts are insecure and need attention, and bragging often has the opposite effect on most people when you're trying to gain their respect and increase your influence. Mark Goulston
There is a difference between conceit and confidence. Conceit is bragging about yourself. Confidence means you believe you can get the job done. Johnny Unitas
Bragging is often merely a ladder we build for ourselves out of words when we are afraid we are not tall enough in the eyes of the world. It is an unwitting confession to low self-esteem. P.M. Forni
Only one man has the right to boast, and that's the man who never does. Evan Esar
Contrary to many people would expect, those who bragged about themselves were actually seen as more competent and less of a braggart than those who bragged about others. D. V. Rangarajan
Bragging is generally considered inappropriate, and if you pat yourself too hard on the back, you are likely to find that others will refuse to do so. David B. Brinkerhoff
Bragging is like coughing without covering your mouth. It sends the virus of separateness and arrogance everywhere and makes everyone weaker. Paul Pearsall