Soldiers-let a woman hesitate to speak of their dress and arms in any tone but that of self-depreciating humility.
"The Tapestry Book"
Helen Churchill Candee
I might answer that, without depreciating the Thuilliers, the Orleans family seems to me more distinguished; but I do not like to introduce acerbity into the conversation, and therefore, begging you to receive the assurance of my humble respects, I retire.
"The Lesser Bourgeoisie"
Honore de Balzac
And all the old school-gentlemen who have retired on their pensions of renown-regard him as an intruder: then the sneer, then the frown, the caustic irony, the biting review, the depreciating praise.
"Ernest Maltravers, Complete"
Edward Bulwer-Lytton