He began to put on side and to assume airs of authority.
American over modest look upon as the hypocritical pronoun, says English if one is modest about self talking not good , proceed to tell fluent English, American person that can think that he is to affirm with self's lips but deny in self's heart , assume airs of importance.
But we all know there are many intellectuals who fancy themselves very learned and assume airs of erudition without realizing that such airs are bad and harmful and hinder their own progress.
