--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ... goodness is of a modest nature…" description: "\"... goodness is of a modest nature, easily discouraged, and when much elbowed in early life by unabashed vices, is apt to retire into extreme privacy, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e93/george-eliot-84_acquaintance_goodness-is-of-a-modest-nature-easily-di_200739.png" --- # ... goodness is of a modest nature, easily discouraged… ![“... goodness is of a modest nature, easily discouraged, and when much elbowed in early life by unabashed vices, is apt to retire into extreme privacy, so that it is more easily believed in by those who construct a selfish old gentleman theoretically, than by those who form the narrower judgments…” quote by George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e93/george-eliot-84_acquaintance_goodness-is-of-a-modest-nature-easily-di_200739.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e93/george-eliot-84_acquaintance_goodness-is-of-a-modest-nature-easily-di_200739.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e93/george-eliot-84_acquaintance_goodness-is-of-a-modest-nature-easily-di_200739.png) > “... goodness is of a modest nature, easily discouraged, and when much elbowed in early life by unabashed vices, is apt to retire into extreme privacy, so that it is more easily believed in by those who construct a selfish old gentleman theoretically, than by those who form the narrower judgments based on his personal acquaintance.” [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Goodness is fragile, often hidden by early vice, and tends to withdraw into privacy, making it easier for theoretical moralists than personal acquaintances to believe in it. **In simple terms:** Goodness can retreat into privacy when hurt early. Key Takeaway Recognize and support goodness despite its modesty. Themes morality vulnerability social perception Mood reflective empathetic Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - personal relationships - mentoring - community building - psychological support Key Concepts psychology ethics self‑preservation Questions to Reflect On - How can we encourage openness in those who withdraw? - What role does early experience play in shaping moral behavior? A Different Perspective Goodness may be misunderstood or undervalued by those who only see it theoretically. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acquaintance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquaintance/) [Constructs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constructs/) [Cybersecurity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cybersecurity/) [Discouraged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discouraged/) [Early life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/early-life/) [Extremes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extremes/) [Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form/) [Gentleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleman/) [Goodness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodness/) [Goodness Modest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodness-modest-1568476/) [Judgment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judgment/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Modest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modest/) [Modest Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modest-nature-1568477/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Narrower Judgments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/narrower-judgments-2096490/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Privacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/privacy/) [Retiring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/retiring/) [Selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish/) [Selfish Old](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish-old-2096491/) [Vices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vices/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [“If any one will here contend that there must have been traits of goodness in old Featherstone, I will not presume to deny this;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/if-any-one-will-here-contend-that-there-must-have-been-traits-of/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [“Julian thought he could have stood his lot better if she had been selfish, if she had been an old hag who drank and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flannery-o-connor/julian-thought-he-could-have-stood-his-lot-better-if-she-had-been/) [Flannery O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flannery-o-connor/) > [You know, Emily was a selfish old woman in her way. 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