--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There are two distinct sorts of what we…" description: "\"There are two distinct sorts of what we call bashfulness; this, the awkwardness of a booby, which a few steps into the world will convert into the pert..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/448/henry-mackenzie-45237_awkwardness_there-are-two-distinct-sorts-of-what-we_1012209.jpg" --- # There are two distinct sorts of what we call bashfulness… ![“There are two distinct sorts of what we call bashfulness; this, the awkwardness of a booby, which a few steps into the world will convert into the pertness of a coxcomb; that, a consciousness, which the most delicate feelings produce, and the most extensive knowledge cannot always remove.” quote by Henry Mackenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/448/henry-mackenzie-45237_awkwardness_there-are-two-distinct-sorts-of-what-we_1012209.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/448/henry-mackenzie-45237_awkwardness_there-are-two-distinct-sorts-of-what-we_1012209.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/448/henry-mackenzie-45237_awkwardness_there-are-two-distinct-sorts-of-what-we_1012209.jpg) > “There are two distinct sorts of what we call bashfulness; this, the awkwardness of a booby, which a few steps into the world will convert into the pertness of a coxcomb; that, a consciousness, which the most delicate feelings produce, and the most extensive knowledge cannot always remove.” [Henry Mackenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-mackenzie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Bashfulness can appear as awkwardness that may become confidence, or as a deep sensitivity that knowledge cannot fully erase. **In simple terms:** Shyness may turn into confidence or stay as sensitive feeling. Key Takeaway Recognize and nurture confidence while accepting lingering sensitivity. Themes self‑esteem growth vulnerability Mood reflective hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - first day at work - public speaking - new relationships - personal development Key Concepts psychology social development Questions to Reflect On - How does confidence change your perception of shyness? - Can sensitivity be a strength? A Different Perspective Confidence may not fully replace underlying sensitivity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Awkwardness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awkwardness/) [Awkwardness Booby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awkwardness-booby-2204865/) [Bashfulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bashfulness/) [Bashfulness Awkwardness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bashfulness-awkwardness-2204864/) [Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness/) [Delicate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delicate/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Produce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/produce/) [Remove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remove/) [Sorts Bashfulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorts-bashfulness-2204866/) [Steps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steps/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Mere bashfulness without merit is awkwardness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/mere-bashfulness-without-merit-is-awkwardness/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Mere bashfulness without merit is awkward; and merit without modesty, insolent. But modest merit has a double claim to acceptance, and generally meets with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/mere-bashfulness-without-merit-is-awkward-and-merit-without-modesty/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [“Nothing is as irritating to a shy man as a confident girl.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/nothing-is-as-irritating-to-a-shy-man-as-a-confident-girl/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [Bashfulness is more frequently connected with good sense than we find assurance; and impudence, on the other hand, is often the mere effect of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shenstone/bashfulness-is-more-frequently-connected-with-good-sense-than-we-find/) [William Shenstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shenstone/) > [“ Bashfulnesse Of all our parts, the eyes expresse The sweetest kind of bashfulnesse. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/bashfulnesse-of-all-our-parts-the-eyes-expresse-the-sweetest-kind-of/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [Perhaps a maiden's bashfulness is more A matron's lesson than our lips aver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-austin/perhaps-a-maiden-s-bashfulness-is-more-a-matron-s-lesson-than-our/) [Alfred Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-austin/) > [No cause more frequently produces bashfulness than too high an opinion of our own importance. He that imagines an assembly filled with his merit,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/no-cause-more-frequently-produces-bashfulness-than-too-high-an/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“If we all knew that we were all perverts, we might be a lot happier.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-o-neill/if-we-all-knew-that-we-were-all-perverts-we-might-be-a-lot-happier/) [Heather O'Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-o-neill/) > [Women who are the least bashful are not unfrequently the most modest; and we are never more deceived than when we would infer any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/women-who-are-the-least-bashful-are-not-unfrequently-the-most-modest/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [As to the human race. There are many pretty and winning things about the human race. It is perhaps the poorest of all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/as-to-the-human-race-there-are-many-pretty-and-winning-things-about/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Bashfulness is an ornament to youth, but a reproach to old age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/bashfulness-is-an-ornament-to-youth-but-a-reproach-to-old-age/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [I am not likely to die of bashfulness but neither am I prepared to be crucified to attest the perfection of my art. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/i-am-not-likely-to-die-of-bashfulness-but-neither-am-i-prepared-to-be/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [He, full of bashfulness and truth, loved much, hoped little, and desired naught.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torquato-tasso/he-full-of-bashfulness-and-truth-loved-much-hoped-little-and-desired/) [Torquato Tasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torquato-tasso/) > [Not that I am ashamed of my mind or body, my birth or breeding, my actions or fortunes, for my bashfulness is in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-cavendish/not-that-i-am-ashamed-of-my-mind-or-body-my-birth-or-breeding-my/) [Margaret Cavendish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-cavendish/) > [So sweet the blush of bashfulness, E'en pity scarce can wish it less!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/so-sweet-the-blush-of-bashfulness-e-en-pity-scarce-can-wish-it-less/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) ## More by Henry Mackenzie > [It is from the remembrance of joys we have lost that the arrows of affliction are pointed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-mackenzie/it-is-from-the-remembrance-of-joys-we-have-lost-that-the-arrows-of/) [Henry Mackenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-mackenzie/) > [Pedantry, in the common acceptation of the word, means an absurd ostentation of learning, and stiffness of phraseology, proceeding from a misguided knowledge of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-mackenzie/pedantry-in-the-common-acceptation-of-the-word-means-an-absurd/) [Henry Mackenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-mackenzie/) > [What signifies sadness, sir; a man grows lean on it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-mackenzie/what-signifies-sadness-sir-a-man-grows-lean-on-it/) [Henry Mackenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-mackenzie/) > [People do not care to give alms without some security for their money; and a wooden leg or a withered arm is a sort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-mackenzie/people-do-not-care-to-give-alms-without-some-security-for-their-money/) [Henry Mackenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-mackenzie/) > [It is only from the belief of the goodness and wisdom of a supreme being, that our calamities can be borne in the manner…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-mackenzie/it-is-only-from-the-belief-of-the-goodness-and-wisdom-of-a-supreme/) [Henry Mackenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-mackenzie/) > [Indeed, I have observed one ingredient, somewhat necessary in a man’s composition towards happiness, which people of feeling would do well to acquire; a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-mackenzie/indeed-i-have-observed-one-ingredient-somewhat-necessary-in-a-man-s/) [Henry Mackenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-mackenzie/) > [Fame is a revenue payable only to our ghosts; and to deny ourselves all present satisfaction, or to expose ourselves to so much hazard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-mackenzie/fame-is-a-revenue-payable-only-to-our-ghosts-and-to-deny-ourselves/) [Henry Mackenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-mackenzie/) > [Mankind in the gross is a gaping monster, that loves to be deceived and has seldom been disappointed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-mackenzie/mankind-in-the-gross-is-a-gaping-monster-that-loves-to-be-deceived/) [Henry Mackenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-mackenzie/) [Explore all 9 Henry Mackenzie quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-mackenzie/) ## More Awkwardness quotes > [Well, my intention is to make work about being uncomfortable. About being in a world that isn't always the world you want to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurel-nakadate/well-my-intention-is-to-make-work-about-being-uncomfortable-about/) [Laurel Nakadate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurel-nakadate/) > [It's awkward doing it with anybody, but it's like Twister.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-pattinson/it-s-awkward-doing-it-with-anybody-but-it-s-like-twister/) [Robert Pattinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-pattinson/) > [To combat social awkwardness, I would just act like I couldn't be bothered - that kind of aloof persona or aloof demeanor. It's so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janeane-garofalo/to-combat-social-awkwardness-i-would-just-act-like-i-couldn-t-be/) [Janeane Garofalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janeane-garofalo/) > [“Awkwardness, thy name is vampire.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chloe-neill/awkwardness-thy-name-is-vampire/) [Chloe Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chloe-neill/) > [“What can one do with one's hands when the camera is interested in other things?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-eggers/what-can-one-do-with-one-s-hands-when-the-camera-is-interested-in/) [Dave Eggers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-eggers/) > [I work from awkwardness. By that I mean I don't like to arrange things. If I stand in front of something, instead of arranging…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-arbus/i-work-from-awkwardness-by-that-i-mean-i-don-t-like-to-arrange-things/) [Diane Arbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-arbus/) > [I never wish to offend, but I am so foolishly shy, that I often seem negligent, when I am only kept back by my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/i-never-wish-to-offend-but-i-am-so-foolishly-shy-that-i-often-seem/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [God may forgive sins, he said, but awkwardness has no forgiveness in heaven or earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/god-may-forgive-sins-he-said-but-awkwardness-has-no-forgiveness-in/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I can't flirt, so I'll just seduce you with my awkwardness: xDDD](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel/i-can-t-flirt-so-i-ll-just-seduce-you-with-my-awkwardness-xddd/) [Rachel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel/) > [They meet in the girls' bathroom. The last time they were forced to meet in a place like this, they took separate, isolated stalls.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/they-meet-in-the-girls-bathroom-the-last-time-they-were-forced-to/) [Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/) > [My position in life has always been to be that person in the room who can make the conversation and break down any awkwardness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-narstie/my-position-in-life-has-always-been-to-be-that-person-in-the-room-who/) [Big Narstie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-narstie/) > [“Perhaps anything that he did would have pleased Lucy, but his awkwardness went straight to her heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster-2/perhaps-anything-that-he-did-would-have-pleased-lucy-but-his/) [E.M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster-2/) > [“Grace and chocolate cake can cover a world of awkwardness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-jo-baker/grace-and-chocolate-cake-can-cover-a-world-of-awkwardness/) [Lisa-Jo Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-jo-baker/) > [The finest manners in the world are awkwardness and fatuity when contrasted with a finer intelligence. They appear but as the fashions of past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-finest-manners-in-the-world-are-awkwardness-and-fatuity-when/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [There's an attraction to emotional clusters or hypocrisies or awkwardness. A desire to expose something or point at something that's already poking out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-chang/there-s-an-attraction-to-emotional-clusters-or-hypocrisies-or/) [Victoria Chang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-chang/) [Browse all 278 Awkwardness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awkwardness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There are two distinct sorts of what we call bashfulness; this, the awkwardness of a booby, which a few steps into the world will convert into the pertness of a coxcomb; that, a consciousness, which the most delicate feelings produce, and the most extensive knowledge cannot always remove.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Henry Mackenzie" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-mackenzie/there-are-two-distinct-sorts-of-what-we-call-bashfulness-this-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Awkwardness" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-mackenzie/there-are-two-distinct-sorts-of-what-we-call-bashfulness-this-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/448/henry-mackenzie-45237_awkwardness_there-are-two-distinct-sorts-of-what-we_1012209.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/448/henry-mackenzie-45237_awkwardness_there-are-two-distinct-sorts-of-what-we_1012209.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/448/henry-mackenzie-45237_awkwardness_there-are-two-distinct-sorts-of-what-we_1012209.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There are two distinct sorts of what we call bashfulness; this, the awkwardness of a booby, which a few…” — Henry Mackenzie", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Henry Mackenzie", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-mackenzie/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There are two distinct sorts of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-mackenzie/there-are-two-distinct-sorts-of-what-we-call-bashfulness-this-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-mackenzie/there-are-two-distinct-sorts-of-what-we-call-bashfulness-this-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```