If a man praise himself it is to avoid evil, as it were; inasmuch as it cannot be done except such self-laudation become in excess dishonour; it is praise in appearance, it is infamy in substance.

For the words are spoken to prove that of which he has not inward assurance.

Hence, he who lauds himself proves his belief that he is not esteemed to be a good man, and this befalls him not unless he have an evil conscience, which he reveals by self-praise, and in so revealing it he blames himself.
And, again, self-praise and self-blame are to be shunned equally, for this reason, that it is false witnessing.

Because there is no man who can be a true and just judge of himself, so much will self-love deceive him.

Hence it happens that every man has in his own judgment the measures of the false merchant, who sells with the one, and buys with the other.