Charles Bingley is noted for his modesty.
Austen notes early on that Mr Bingleyâs modesty often leads him to rely on his friend Mr Darcyâs judgement:
âOn the strength of Darcyâs regard Bingley had the firmest reliance, and of his judgment the highest opinion. Â In understanding, Darcy was the superior. Bingley was by no means deficient, but Darcy was clever.â - Volume I, Chapter IV
Mr Bingley freely admits to his faults, such as the careless appearance of his letters, leading Elizabeth Bennet to say:
âYour humility, Mr Bingley, must disarm reproof.â - Elizabeth Bennet. Volume I, Chapter X
Mr Darcy takes advantage of his friendâs modesty to convince him that he is mistaken in Jane Bennetâs returning his affection:
âBingley has great natural modesty, with a stronger dependence on my judgement than on his own. To convince him, therefore, that he had deceived himself, was no very difficult point.â - Mr Darcy. Volume II, Chapter XII
Although Mr Bingley loves Jane, this persuasion of her being indifferent to him prevents him initially returning to her. Elizabeth notes:
âHe made a little mistake to be sure; but it is to the credit of his modesty.â - Elizabeth Bennet. Volume III, Chapter XIII
Mr Darcy later corrects his interference, assuring Mr Bingley that Jane does in fact return his affection:
âBingley is most unaffectedly modest. His diffidence had prevented his depending on his own judgment in so anxious a case, but his reliance on mine made everything easy.â - Mr Darcy. Volume III, Chapter XVI
Jane praises her fiancĂ©âs diffidence:
âa panegyric from Jane on his diffidence, and the little value he put on his own good qualitiesâ - Volume III, Chapter XIII
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