Are these people shallow or am I stupid?

Okay so this is not a rant but an actual question. It’s long but please do read.

I like to think I’m pretty modest. I don’t think its a choice I’ve made, I’ve just never felt the need to boast about anything. I always think that your qualities and skills are noticed by people whether you highlight them or not. I also hope that my modesty is a sign of my security in that I feel content with the kind of person I am.

I have noticed more and more at my workplace though that most people only want to talk about how great they are and will often even exaggerate stories. One of my colleagues was sitting in the office right now for an hour and a half and all he did literally was talk about how he fixed stuff, how he initimidated a person, how some people fell at his feet… etc. Not a problem, only very irritating.

The problem then is, I feel like I see right through him. And that I see his boasting as a way of feeding his ego and trying to impress other people. I feel he is insecure and trying to convince others of his lack of abilities some how. Howeverrrrr a lot of people in my office are in fact very impressed with him and talk about how informed and well connected and awesome he is.

Am I stupid to perceive him in this way? Are other people correct in their observation of him? Must we always brag about ourselves to get noticed? Is there no place for a person like my in this world that wants to be amazing (which I am) without wanting to wear it on my sleeve?