# Quotes about shame - Quotes: 61 - Authors: 50 - Topic page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame - JSON version (same data): https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.json ## Quotes > Within that single heart surges mighty shame, and madness mingled with grief, and love stung by fury, and the consciousness of worth. [Virgil](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil.md) · [The Aeneid](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil/the-aeneid.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil/the-aeneid/within-that-single.md) Topics: [passion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/passion.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > Shame is a distinct feeling. I couldn’t look at my hands around the coffee cup or hear my own laments without feeling appalled, wanting desperately to fall silent, grow smaller. More than that, I was uncomfortably conscious of my whole body, from the awkward way that the shafts of my hair were thrusting out of my scalp to my feet, which felt dirty as well as cold. Everywhere, I seemed to feel my skin from the inside, as if it now stood away from my flesh, separated by a millimeter of mortified space. [Jane Smiley](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jane-smiley.md) · [A Thousand Acres](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jane-smiley/a-thousand-acres.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jane-smiley/a-thousand-acres/shame-is-a-distinct.md) Topics: [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > “You’re an interesting case,” she said. > > There is really no end to life’s little humiliations, Quentin reflected. [Lev Grossman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman.md) · [The Magicians](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magicians.md) · p. 92 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magicians/youre-an-interesting.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > Shame tells us that we are bad, which itself is an incredibly terrible feeling. But Systemic Shame teaches that entire groups of people are bad, and that through our choices and our identities, we constantly signal to other people whether we belong to a redeemable group or to an innately wicked one. [Devon Price](https://www.leafyquotes.com/devon-price.md) · [Unlearning Shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/devon-price/unlearning-shame.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/devon-price/unlearning-shame/shame-tells-us-that.md) Topics: [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md), [stereotypes](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/stereotypes.md) > When a marginalized person holds themselves personally responsible for solving the problem of their own oppression, Systemic Shame is the overwhelmed, hopeless feeling that results. [Devon Price](https://www.leafyquotes.com/devon-price.md) · [Unlearning Shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/devon-price/unlearning-shame.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/devon-price/unlearning-shame/when-a-marginalized.md) Topics: [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > In my experience, being a masked Autistic is eerily similar to being in the closet about being gay or trans. It's a painful state of self-loathing and denial that warps your inner experience. Though it often feels like being "crazy," it's not actually an internal neurosis. It's caused by society's repeated, often violent insistence you are not who you say you are, and that any evidence to the contrary is shameful. [Devon Price](https://www.leafyquotes.com/devon-price.md) · [Unmasking Autism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/devon-price/unmasking-autism.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/devon-price/unmasking-autism/in-my-experience.md) Topics: [identity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/identity.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md), [otherness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/otherness.md) > By happily delving into our special interests and reveling in our Autistic capacity to hyperfocus, we can help retrain our brains to see our neurotype as a source of beauty rather than a mark of shame. [Devon Price](https://www.leafyquotes.com/devon-price.md) · [Unmasking Autism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/devon-price/unmasking-autism.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/devon-price/unmasking-autism/by-happily-delving.md) Topics: [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md), [otherness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/otherness.md), [passion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/passion-2.md) > The flip side of innocence is shame. [Cathy Park Hong](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cathy-park-hong.md) · [Minor Feelings](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cathy-park-hong/minor-feelings.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cathy-park-hong/minor-feelings/the-flip-side.md) Topics: [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md), [innocence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/innocence.md) > The worst thing about shame is that we imagine we are the only ones to experience it. [Annie Ernaux](https://www.leafyquotes.com/annie-ernaux.md) · [Shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/annie-ernaux/shame.md) · p. 164 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/annie-ernaux/shame/the-worst-thing.md) Topics: [loneliness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loneliness.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > I am endowed by shame's vast memory, more detailed and implacable than any other, a gift unique to shame. [Annie Ernaux](https://www.leafyquotes.com/annie-ernaux.md) · [A Girl's Story](https://www.leafyquotes.com/annie-ernaux/a-girls-story.md) · p. 31 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/annie-ernaux/a-girls-story/i-am-endowed.md) Topics: [memory](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/memory.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > "The thing to do with embarrassment," he told the young American couple who seemed determined to engage him, "is work it all the way to humiliation." [Robert S. Stone](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-s-stone.md) · [A Flag for Sunrise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-s-stone/a-flag-for-sunrise.md) · p. 116 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-s-stone/a-flag-for-sunrise/the-thing-to-do-with.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > Like young men from the dawn of time, I decided to choose the risk of death over certain humiliation. [Ben Aaronovitch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch.md) · [Whispers Under Ground](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch/whispers-under-ground.md) · p. 5 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch/whispers-under-ground/like-young-men.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [youth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/youth.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > Since that day, I have slowly acquired the uneasiness about my clothes that characterizes the poor who are ashamed. I was no longer at my ease in any suit: I felt that I was badly dressed and that I attracted the attention of all. I feared, even when wearing a new suit, the mockery of others at my unsuccessful attempts. That is how I became what is known as careful of my clothes. [Albert Memmi](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-memmi.md) · [The Pillar of Salt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-memmi/the-pillar-of-salt.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-memmi/the-pillar-of-salt/since-that-day.md) Topics: [poverty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/poverty.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > Oh yes, poverty is something to be ashamed of, and this was clear to me from the mutterings of my own parents, from their remarks about the Oukala of the Birds and their pity for the Choulam family. As for me, I despised the poor. Fraji had to pay with shame the price of his poverty and I too, if we were poor, would have to pay with my own shame. In the disorder of my awareness, I made that day a great and unhappy step forward. I noted that I too wore new clothes only rarely and was forced to receive, like Fraji, bundles that stank of mildew and dirty linen and from which all the expensive buttons had been removed. I now understood his suffering fully, the shame that I had poured forth upon him in the presence of Chouchane and the other kids. His suffering and shame were my own too; on my own shoulders I now felt the burden of the same contempt, as if I had his hair, all clammy with filth, and his eyes like the headlights of a car. I felt that I had become Fraji. [Albert Memmi](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-memmi.md) · [The Pillar of Salt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-memmi/the-pillar-of-salt.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-memmi/the-pillar-of-salt/oh-yes-poverty.md) Topics: [poverty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/poverty.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > Knowing that his audiences are capable of forming bad impressions of him, the individual may come to feel ashamed of a well-intentioned honest act merely because the context of its performance provides false impressions that are bad. Feeling this unwarranted shame, he may feel that his feelings can be seen; feeling that he is thus seen, he may feel that his appearance confirms these false conclusions concerning him. He may then add to the precariousness of his position by engaging in just those defensive maneuvers that he would employ were he really guilty. In this way it is possible for all of us to become fleetingly for ourselves the worst person we can imagine that others might imagine us to be. [Erving Goffman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/erving-goffman.md) · [The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/erving-goffman/the-presentation-of-self-in-everyday-life.md) · p. 236 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/erving-goffman/the-presentation-of-self-in-everyday-life/knowing-that-his.md) Topics: [appearances](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/appearances.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > This was the most difficult, the most extraordinary transition. Her body had been a source of shame and disgust; to engage in activities with no purpose at all except to revel in their sheer physicality had first nauseated, then terrified, and finally liberated her. [China Miéville](https://www.leafyquotes.com/china-mieville.md) · [Perdido Street Station](https://www.leafyquotes.com/china-mieville/perdido-street-station.md) · p. 217 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/china-mieville/perdido-street-station/this-was-the.md) Topics: [the body](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-body.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > A person’s true means of expression is his life. Living the shame of life and maintaining silence, that was the greatest accomplishment of all. [Imre Kertész](https://www.leafyquotes.com/imre-kertesz.md) · [Liquidation](https://www.leafyquotes.com/imre-kertesz/liquidation.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/imre-kertesz/liquidation/a-persons-true.md) Topics: [silence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/silence.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > Because Impudence is a Vice, it does not follow that Modesty is a Virtue; it is built upon Shame, a Passion in our Nature, and may be either Good or Bad according to the Actions perform'd from that Motive. [Bernard Mandeville](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bernard-mandeville.md) · [The Fable of the Bees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bernard-mandeville/the-fable-of-the-bees.md) · p. 65 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bernard-mandeville/the-fable-of-the-bees/because-impudence-is-a-vice.md) Topics: [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md), [modesty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/modesty.md) > Ashamed of the many Frailties they feel within, all Men endeavour to hide themselves, their Ugly Nakedness, from each other, and wrapping up the true Motives of their Hearts in the Specious Cloke of Sociableness, and their Concern for the publick Good, they are in hopes of concealing their filthy Appetites and the Deformity of their Desires. [Bernard Mandeville](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bernard-mandeville.md) · [The Fable of the Bees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bernard-mandeville/the-fable-of-the-bees.md) · p. 262 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bernard-mandeville/the-fable-of-the-bees/ashamed-of-the.md) Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > Western culture is undergoing a process of transition from guilt-oriented, with a conscience, to shame-oriented, with a morbid fear of being found out. [John Brunner](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-brunner.md) · [The Jagged Orbit](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-brunner/the-jagged-orbit.md) · p. 10 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-brunner/the-jagged-orbit/western-culture-is-undergoing.md) Topics: [guilt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/guilt.md), [conscience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/conscience.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > Once shame touches your being at any point, even the most distant nerve is implicated, whether you know it or not; any fleeting encounter or random thought will rake up the anguish and add to it. [Stefan Zweig](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stefan-zweig.md) · [The Post-Office Girl](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stefan-zweig/the-post-office-girl.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stefan-zweig/the-post-office-girl/once-shame-touches.md) Topics: [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > You're going to tell me that poverty's nothing to be ashamed of. It's not true, though. If you can't hide it, then it is something to be ashamed of. There's nothing you can do, you're ashamed just the same, the way you're ashamed when you leave a spot on somebody's table. No matter if it's deserved or not, honorable or not, poverty stinks. Yes, stinks, stinks like a ground-floor room off an airshaft, or clothes that need changing. You smell it yourself, as though you were made of sewage. It can't be wiped away. It doesn't help to put on a new hat, any more than rinsing your mouth helps when you're belching your guts out. It's around you and on you and everyone who brushes up against you or looks at you knows it. I know the way women look down on you when you're down at heels. I know it's embarrassing for other people, but the hell with that, it's a lot more embarrassing when it's you. You can't get out of it, you can't get past it, the best thing to do is get plastered, and here" (he reached for his glass and drained it in a deliberately uncouth gulp) "here's the great social problem, here's why the 'lower classes' indulge in alcohol so much more - that problem that countesses and matrons in women's groups rack their brains over at tea. For those few minutes, those few hours, you forget you're an affront to other and to yourself. It's no great distinction to be seen in the company of someone dressed lie this, I know, but it's no fun for me either. [Stefan Zweig](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stefan-zweig.md) · [The Post-Office Girl](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stefan-zweig/the-post-office-girl.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stefan-zweig/the-post-office-girl/youre-going-to-tell.md) Topics: [poverty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/poverty.md), [alcohol](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/alcohol.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > I know not whether, at the time, it was not for him rather than myself that I blushed; for, since he and I are one, I so identify myself with him, that I feel his degradation, his failings, and transgressions as my own; I blush for him, I fear for him; I repent for him, weep, pray, and feel for him as for myself; but I cannot act for him; and hence, I must be and I am, debased, contaminated by the union, both in my own eyes, and in the actual truth. [Anne Brontë](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anne-bronte.md) · [The Tenant of Wildfell Hall](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anne-bronte/the-tenant-of-wildfell-hall.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anne-bronte/the-tenant-of-wildfell-hall/i-know-not.md) Topics: [marriage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/marriage.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > Discipline and abstraction of putting my life into words, every day, helped me to cope with shame and its first cousin, despair. - Lin [Gregory David Roberts](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-david-roberts.md) · [Shantaram](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-david-roberts/shantaram.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-david-roberts/shantaram/discipline-and-abstraction.md) Topics: [writing](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/writing.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > One of the reasons why we crave love, & seek it so desperately, is that love is the only cure for loneliness, & shame, & sorrow. But some feelings sink so deep into the heart that only loneliness can help you find them again. Some truths about yourself are so painful that only shame can help you live with them. And some things are just so sad that only your soul can do the crying for you. [Gregory David Roberts](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-david-roberts.md) · [Shantaram](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-david-roberts/shantaram.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-david-roberts/shantaram/one-of-the.md) Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [loneliness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loneliness.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > [T]o hell with being ashamed of what you liked. [Ralph Ellison](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ralph-ellison.md) · [Invisible Man](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ralph-ellison/invisible-man.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ralph-ellison/invisible-man/t-o-hell-with.md) Topics: [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > I am not ashamed of my grandparents for having been slaves. I am only ashamed of myself for having at one time been ashamed. [Ralph Ellison](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ralph-ellison.md) · [Invisible Man](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ralph-ellison/invisible-man.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ralph-ellison/invisible-man/i-am-not.md) Topics: [slavery](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/slavery.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > Shyness is when you turn your head away from something you want. Shame is when you turn your head away from something you do not want. [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jonathan-safran-foer.md) · [Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jonathan-safran-foer/extremely-loud-and-incredibly-close.md) · p. 179 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jonathan-safran-foer/extremely-loud-and-incredibly-close/shyness-is-when.md) Topics: [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md), [shyness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shyness.md) > The desire not to look bad before one’s fellow man is a strange, compelling, and terribly powerful thing. [Harry Turtledove](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove.md) · [Settling Accounts: Drive to the East](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-drive-to-the-east.md) · p. 155 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-drive-to-the-east/the-desire-not.md) Topics: [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > 'Love him,' said Jacques, with vehemence, 'love him and let him love you. Do you think anything else under heaven really matters? And how long, at the best, can it last, since you are both men and still have everywhere to go? Only five minutes, I assure you, only five minutes, and most of that, helas! in the dark. And if you think of them as dirty, then they will be dirty — they will be dirty because you will be giving nothing, you will be despising your flesh and his. But you can make your time together anything but dirty, you can give each other something which will make both of you better — forever — if you will not be ashamed, if you will only not play it safe. He paused, watching me, and then looked down to his cognac. 'You play it safe long enough,' he said, in a different tone, 'and you'll end up trapped in your own dirty body, forever and forever and forever — like me.' [James Baldwin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-baldwin.md) · [Giovanni's Room](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-baldwin/giovannis-room.md) · p. 50 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-baldwin/giovannis-room/love-him-said.md) Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > 'You think,' he persisted, 'that my life is shameful because my encounters are. And they are. But you should ask yourself why they are.' > > 'Why are they — shameful?' I asked him. > > 'Because there is no affection in them, and no joy. It's like putting an electric plug in a dead socket. Touch, but no contact. All touch, but no contact and no light.' [James Baldwin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-baldwin.md) · [Giovanni's Room](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-baldwin/giovannis-room.md) · p. 49 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-baldwin/giovannis-room/you-think-he-persisted.md) Topics: [sex](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/sex.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > I have since often observed, how incongruous and irrational the common temper of mankind is, especially of youth, to that reason which ought to guide them in such cases - viz. they are not ashamed to sin, and yet are ashamed to repent. Not ashamed of the action for which they ought justly to be esteemed fools, but are ashamed of the returning, which can only make them be esteemed wise men. [Daniel Defoe](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-defoe.md) · [Robinson Crusoe](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-defoe/robinson-crusoe.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-defoe/robinson-crusoe/i-have-since.md) Topics: [youth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/youth.md), [sin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/sin.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > Why were there an infinite number of ways to feel awkward? He believed this was a theological question having to do with man's place in the universe. But when he felt the true force of the question, he was always in the middle of an embarrassing emergency of some kind that paralyzed reflection. [Marilynne Robinson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marilynne-robinson.md) · [Jack](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marilynne-robinson/jack.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marilynne-robinson/jack/why-were-there.md) Topics: [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > "Oh, you'll get out. It's only the Hell of Disgust. You've never done anything to be ashamed of, so you don't know what's really Hell." [E.M. Forster](https://www.leafyquotes.com/em-forster.md) · [Maurice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/em-forster/maurice.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/em-forster/maurice/oh-youll-get.md) Topics: [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md), [hell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hell.md) > The scarlet letter was her passport into regions where other women dared not tread. Shame, Despair, Solitude! These had been her teachers — stern and wild ones, — and they had made her strong, but taught her much amiss. [Nathaniel Hawthorne](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nathaniel-hawthorne.md) · [The Scarlet Letter](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nathaniel-hawthorne/the-scarlet-letter.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nathaniel-hawthorne/the-scarlet-letter/the-scarlet-letter.md) Topics: [suffering](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/suffering.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > There's nothing more embarrassing than to have earned the disfavor of a perceptive animal. [Michael Chabon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-chabon.md) · [Wonder Boys](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-chabon/wonder-boys.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-chabon/wonder-boys/theres-nothing-more.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [animals](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/animals.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > Fear is like those diseases that disfigure the face with running sores. One becomes almost more afraid of their being seen than of their source, and comes to feel not only disgraced but defiled. [Gene Wolfe](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gene-wolfe.md) · [The Citadel of the Autarch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gene-wolfe/the-citadel-of-the-autarch.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gene-wolfe/the-citadel-of-the-autarch/fear-is-like.md) Topics: [fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fear.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > They could all know now if they wanted, but they are too embarrassed. Rolth, for three thousand years everyone has tried to find a word to differentiate men from other animals; some of the ancients called him the laughing animal, some the moral animal. Well, I wonder if he isn’t the embarrassed animal. [Samuel R. Delany](https://www.leafyquotes.com/samuel-r-delany.md) · [City of a Thousand Suns](https://www.leafyquotes.com/samuel-r-delany/city-of-a-thousand-suns.md) · p. 294 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/samuel-r-delany/city-of-a-thousand-suns/they-could-all.md) Topics: [human nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/human-nature.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > "The strongest guard is placed at the gateway to nothing," he said. "Maybe because the condition of emptiness is too shameful to be divulged." [F.Scott Fitzgerald](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fscott-fitzgerald.md) · [Tender is the Night](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fscott-fitzgerald/tender-is-the-night.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fscott-fitzgerald/tender-is-the-night/the-strongest-guard.md) Topics: [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md), [emptiness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emptiness.md) > Love is too precious to be ashamed of. [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/laurell-k-hamilton.md) · [A Stroke Of Midnight](https://www.leafyquotes.com/laurell-k-hamilton/a-stroke-of-midnight.md) · p. 105 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/laurell-k-hamilton/a-stroke-of-midnight/love-is-too.md) Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > The mob still had anger in it, some of them at least. Yet there were so many who were sick of it all, many who were already ashamed, already discovering in their hearts the terrible acts they had performed tonight, when their souls were given over to the will of the mob. [Orson Scott Card](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card.md) · [Xenocide](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/xenocide.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/xenocide/the-mob-still.md) Topics: [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > It is not human to be without shame and without desire. [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin.md) · [The Left Hand of Darkness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/the-left-hand-of-darkness.md) · p. 177 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/the-left-hand-of-darkness/it-is-not-human.md) Topics: [human nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/human-nature.md), [desire](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/desire.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > One striking characteristic of modern education is the unanimous disapproval of exploiting the powerful feeling of shame. … Yet in ancient education, e.g. in the Socratic dialogs, this very arousal of shame is a chief device; the teacher greets the hot flush as a capital sign that the youth is educable, he has noble aims. Such a youth has dignity in his very shame. > > The difference seems to be that we cannot offer available opportunities for honor, we do not have them; and therefore we must protect what shreds of dignity the youth has. Since he has no future, if we make him ashamed of his past and present, he is reduced to nothing. In other ages, the community had plenty of chances of honor, and to belong to the community itself was an honor. [Paul Goodman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paul-goodman.md) · [Growing Up Absurd](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paul-goodman/growing-up-absurd.md) · p. 149 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paul-goodman/growing-up-absurd/one-striking-characteristic.md) Topics: [education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/education.md), [honour](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/honour.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > When I woke up, it was daylight. That is when I remembered that I had a father. During the alert, I had followed the mob, not taking care of him. I knew he was running out of strength, close to death, and yet had abandoned him. > > I went to look for him. > > Yet at the same time a thought crept into my mind: If only I didn't find him! If only I were relieved of this responsibility, I could use all my strength to fight for my own survival, to take care of myself...Instantly, I felt ashamed, ashamed of myself forever. [Elie Wiesel](https://www.leafyquotes.com/elie-wiesel.md) · [Night](https://www.leafyquotes.com/elie-wiesel/night.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/elie-wiesel/night/when-i-woke.md) Topics: [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md), [father](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/father.md) > "You know, that might be the answer — to act boastfully about something we ought to be ashamed of. That's a trick that never seems to fail." [Joseph Heller](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-heller.md) · [Catch-22](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-heller/catch-22.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-heller/catch-22/you-know-that.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > "Like a dog!" he said, it was as if the shame of it should outlive him. [Franz Kafka](https://www.leafyquotes.com/franz-kafka.md) · [The Trial](https://www.leafyquotes.com/franz-kafka/the-trial.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/franz-kafka/the-trial/like-a-dog.md) Topics: [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > I know what a heavy burden everybody carries of the unconfessed, which sometimes appears to be unspeakable. Very often such stuff is not disgraceful or criminal; it is merely a sense of not having behaved well or having done something one knew to be contrary to someone else's good; of having snatched when one should have waited decently; of having turned a sharp corner when someone else was thereby left in a difficult situation; of having talked of the first-rate when was planning to do the second-rate; of having fallen below whatever standards one had set oneself. [Robertson Davies](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies.md) · [The Deptford Trilogy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies/the-deptford-trilogy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies/the-deptford-trilogy/i-know-what.md) Topics: [conscience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/conscience.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > I am marked like a road map from head to toe with my repressions. You can travel the length and breadth of my body over superhighways of shame and inhibition and fear. [Philip Roth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-roth.md) · [Portnoy's Complaint](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-roth/portnoys-complaint.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-roth/portnoys-complaint/i-am-marked.md) Topics: [fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fear.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > The secret thoughts of a man run over all things, holy, prophane, clean, obscene, grave, and light, without shame, or blame… [Thomas Hobbes](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-hobbes.md) · [Leviathan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-hobbes/leviathan.md) · p. 34 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-hobbes/leviathan/the-secret-thoughts.md) Topics: [thinking](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/thinking.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > How embarrassing to be human. [Kurt Vonnegut](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut.md) · [Hocus Pocus](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/hocus-pocus.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/hocus-pocus/how-embarrassing-to-be-human.md) Topics: [human nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/human-nature.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > In effect it seemed to him that, though honor might possess certain advantages, yet shame had others, and not inferior: advantages, even, that were well-nigh boundless in their scope. [Thomas Mann](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-mann.md) · [The Magic Mountain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-mann/the-magic-mountain.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-mann/the-magic-mountain/in-effect-it-seemed.md) Topics: [honour](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/honour.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > Paper, they say, does not blush, but I assure you it's not true and that it's blushing just as I am now, all over. [Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky.md) · [The Brothers Karamazov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky/the-brothers-karamazov.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky/the-brothers-karamazov/paper-they-say.md) Topics: [writing](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/writing.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > We do not always remember the things that do no credit to us. We justify them, cover them in bright lies or with the thick dust of forgetfulness. All of the things that Shadow had done in his life of which he was not proud, all the things he wished he had done otherwise or left undone, came at him then in a swirling storm of guilt and regret and shame, and he had nowhere to hide from them. He was as naked and as open as a corpse on a table, and dark Anubis the jackal god was his prosecutor and his persecutor. [Neil Gaiman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neil-gaiman.md) · [American Gods](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neil-gaiman/american-gods.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neil-gaiman/american-gods/we-do-not.md) Topics: [memory](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/memory.md), [guilt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/guilt.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > Modesty only begins with the knowledge of evil; and how should children without this knowledge of evil have the feeling which results from it? To give them lessons in modesty and good conduct is to teach them that there are things shameful and wicked, and to give them a secret wish to know what these things are. Sooner or later they will find out, and the first spark which touches the imagination will certainly hasten the awakening of the senses. Blushes are the sign of guilt; true innocence is ashamed of nothing. [Jean Jacques Rousseau](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau.md) · [Emile; or On Education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education/modesty-only-begins.md) Topics: [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md), [innocence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/innocence.md) > Although modesty is natural to man, it is not natural to children. Modesty only begins with the knowledge of evil... Blushes are the sign of guilt; true innocence is ashamed of nothing. [Jean Jacques Rousseau](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau.md) · [Emile; or On Education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education/although-modesty-is-natural.md) Topics: [children](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/children.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md), [innocence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/innocence.md) > He had two subjects of conversation, the shame and come-down of being a tramp, and the best way of getting a free meal. [George Orwell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell.md) · [Down and Out in Paris and London](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/down-and-out-in-paris-and-london.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/down-and-out-in-paris-and-london/he-had-two.md) Topics: [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > She was vexed beyond what could have been expressed—almost beyond what she could conceal. Never had she felt so agitated, mortified, grieved, at any circumstance in her life. She was most forcibly struck. The truth of his representation there was no denying. She felt it at her heart. How could she have been so brutal, so cruel to Miss Bates! How could she have exposed herself to such ill opinion in any one she valued! And how suffer him to leave her without saying one word of gratitude, of concurrence, of common kindness! [Jane Austen](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jane-austen.md) · [Emma](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jane-austen/emma.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jane-austen/emma/she-was-vexed.md) Topics: [guilt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/guilt.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > The only art her guilt to cover, > > To hide her shame from every eye, > > To give repentance to her lover, > > And wring his bosom——is to die. [Oliver Goldsmith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/oliver-goldsmith.md) · [The Vicar of Wakefield](https://www.leafyquotes.com/oliver-goldsmith/the-vicar-of-wakefield.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/oliver-goldsmith/the-vicar-of-wakefield/the-only-art.md) Topics: [death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/death.md), [guilt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/guilt.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > Whilst shame keeps its watch, virtue is not wholly extinguished in the heart; nor will moderation be utterly exiled from the minds of tyrants. [Edmund Burke](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edmund-burke.md) · [Reflections on the Revolution in France](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edmund-burke/reflections-on-the-revolution-in-france.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edmund-burke/reflections-on-the-revolution-in-france/whilst-shame-keeps.md) Topics: [morality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/morality.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > It’s damned embarrassing when you wake up with a girl and can’t remember her name. [Larry Niven](https://www.leafyquotes.com/larry-niven.md) · [Flatlander](https://www.leafyquotes.com/larry-niven/flatlander.md) · p. 25 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/larry-niven/flatlander/its-damned-embarrassing.md) Topics: [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > The President has so much good publicity potential that hasn't been exploited. He should just sit down one day and make a list of all the things that people are embarrassed to do that they shouldn't be embarrassed to do, and then do them all on television. [Andy Warhol](https://www.leafyquotes.com/andy-warhol.md) · [The Philosophy of Andy Warhol](https://www.leafyquotes.com/andy-warhol/the-philosophy-of-andy-warhol.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/andy-warhol/the-philosophy-of-andy-warhol/the-president-has.md) Topics: [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md)