--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Priests, magistrates and ladies never…" description: "\"Priests, magistrates and ladies never quite take off their gowns.\" — Honore de Balzac" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a57/honor-de-balzac-197_gowns_priests-magistrates-and-ladies-never-qui_635471.png" --- # Priests, magistrates and ladies never quite take off their… ![“Priests, magistrates and ladies never quite take off their gowns.” quote by Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a57/honor-de-balzac-197_gowns_priests-magistrates-and-ladies-never-qui_635471.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a57/honor-de-balzac-197_gowns_priests-magistrates-and-ladies-never-qui_635471.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a57/honor-de-balzac-197_gowns_priests-magistrates-and-ladies-never-qui_635471.png) > “Priests, magistrates and ladies never quite take off their gowns.” [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Societal roles and formal attire conceal true selves, limiting authentic expression. **In simple terms:** People hide behind roles. Key Takeaway Seek authenticity beyond appearances. Themes society appearance authenticity gender power Mood melancholic critical observational Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - workplace - political events - social gatherings - personal relationships Key Concepts social masks role conformity identity concealment Questions to Reflect On - What masks do you wear daily? - How can you reveal your true self? A Different Perspective Rigid expectations can stifle individuality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Never quit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never-quit/) [Priests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/priests/) ## Related quotes > [“I met two or three men who were very kind to me. There was a magistrate who couldn't stand priests, and a priest who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pitigrilli/i-met-two-or-three-men-who-were-very-kind-to-me-there-was-a/) [Pitigrilli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pitigrilli/) > [A woman in the depths of despair proves so persuasive that she wrenches the forgiveness lurking deep in the heart of her lover. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/a-woman-in-the-depths-of-despair-proves-so-persuasive-that-she/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [Materialism and spirituality are two pretty racquets with which charlatans in cap and gown make the same ball fly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/materialism-and-spirituality-are-two-pretty-racquets-with-which/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [A magistrate is not a father; he must be just and severe. Only tyrants are fathers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/a-magistrate-is-not-a-father-he-must-be-just-and-severe-only-tyrants/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [He who takes the oath today to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States only assumes the solemn obligation which every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grover-cleveland/he-who-takes-the-oath-today-to-preserve-protect-and-defend-the/) [Grover Cleveland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grover-cleveland/) > [The power of Kings and Magistrates is nothing else, but what is only derivative, transferrd and committed to them in trust from the People,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/the-power-of-kings-and-magistrates-is-nothing-else-but-what-is-only/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [ Every answer he \[President John Adams\] gives to his addressers unmasks more and more his principles and views. His language to the young men… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/every-answer-he-president-john-adams-gives-to-his-addressers-unmasks/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [To extraordinary powers of labor, both mental and physical, he unites that tact and judgement which are requisite to the successful direction of such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-jackson/to-extraordinary-powers-of-labor-both-mental-and-physical-he-unites/) [Andrew Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-jackson/) > [... we have gratefully to receive from the hand of God the institution of the state with its magistrates as a means of preservation……](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/we-have-gratefully-to-receive-from-the-hand-of-god-the-institution-of/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [To make an empire durable, the magistrates must obey the laws and the people the magistrates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/to-make-an-empire-durable-the-magistrates-must-obey-the-laws-and-the/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [Fear God, and offend not the Prince nor his laws, and keep thyself out of the magistrate's claws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-tusser/fear-god-and-offend-not-the-prince-nor-his-laws-and-keep-thyself-out/) [Thomas Tusser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-tusser/) > [None of the modes by which a magistrate is appointed, popular election, the accident of the lot, or the accident of birth, affords, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-b-macaulay/none-of-the-modes-by-which-a-magistrate-is-appointed-popular-election/) [Thomas B. Macaulay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-b-macaulay/) > [Religion in a magistrate strengthens his authority, because it procures veneration, and gains a reputation to it. In all the affairs of this world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tillotson/religion-in-a-magistrate-strengthens-his-authority-because-it/) [John Tillotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tillotson/) > [Since custom is the principal magistrate of man's life, let men by all means endeavor to obtain good customs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/since-custom-is-the-principal-magistrate-of-man-s-life-let-men-by-all/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [If the civil magistrate be a Christian, a disciple or follower of the meek Lamb of God, he is bound to be far from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-williams/if-the-civil-magistrate-be-a-christian-a-disciple-or-follower-of-the/) [Roger Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-williams/) ## More by Honore de Balzac > [“Oh, my friend, when you love, love a woman whom you are sure that you can love always. Never forsake a woman.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/oh-my-friend-when-you-love-love-a-woman-whom-you-are-sure-that-you/) [Honoré de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [“You have broken the ice, though you have not even scratched its glossy surface: you have placed your hand upon the croup of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/you-have-broken-the-ice-though-you-have-not-even-scratched-its-glossy/) [Honoré de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [In a world of hunchbacks, a fine figure becomes a monstrosity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/in-a-world-of-hunchbacks-a-fine-figure-becomes-a-monstrosity/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [It is quite right what they say: the three most beautiful sights in the world are a ship in full sail, a galloping horse,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/it-is-quite-right-what-they-say-the-three-most-beautiful-sights-in/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [My writing table has seen all my wretchedness, knows all my plans, has overheard all my thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/my-writing-table-has-seen-all-my-wretchedness-knows-all-my-plans-has/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [Foppery, being the chronic condition of women, is not so much noticed as it is when it breaks out on the person of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/foppery-being-the-chronic-condition-of-women-is-not-so-much-noticed/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [A married woman is a slave you must know how to seat upon a throne.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/a-married-woman-is-a-slave-you-must-know-how-to-seat-upon-a-throne/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [Rich men are resolved to be astonished at nothing. When they see a masterpiece, they must needs at one glance recognize some flaw to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/rich-men-are-resolved-to-be-astonished-at-nothing-when-they-see-a/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [I am a galley slave to pen and ink.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/i-am-a-galley-slave-to-pen-and-ink/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [One can imagine the look the two lovers exchanged; it was like a flame, for virtuous lovers have not a shred of hypocrisy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/one-can-imagine-the-look-the-two-lovers-exchanged-it-was-like-a-flame/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [White and shining virgin of all human virtues, ark of the covenant between earth and heaven, tender and strong companion partaking of the lion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/white-and-shining-virgin-of-all-human-virtues-ark-of-the-covenant/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [All men can bear a familiar, definite misfortune better than the cruel alternations of a fate which, from one moment to another, brings excessive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/all-men-can-bear-a-familiar-definite-misfortune-better-than-the-cruel/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [The mind, too, has its regimen. It needs gymnastics, just like the body does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/the-mind-too-has-its-regimen-it-needs-gymnastics-just-like-the-body/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [Hatred like love feeds on the merest trifles. Everything adds to it. Just as the being we love can do no wrong, so the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/hatred-like-love-feeds-on-the-merest-trifles-everything-adds-to-it/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [All human power is a compound of time and patience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/all-human-power-is-a-compound-of-time-and-patience/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) [Explore all 793 Honore de Balzac quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) ## More Gowns quotes > [My featherbed is deep and soft, and there I’ll lay you down, I’ll dress you all in yellow silk and on your head a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-featherbed-is-deep-and-soft-and-there-i-ll-lay-you-down-i-ll-dress/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Even children follow'd with endearing wile, And pluck'd his gown, to share the good man's smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/even-children-follow-d-with-endearing-wile-and-pluck-d-his-gown-to/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [Is that not ridiculous that people thought that Justin Bieber and I were on a vacation together, on a romantic vacation, in the Bahamas,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-kardashian/is-that-not-ridiculous-that-people-thought-that-justin-bieber-and-i/) [Kim Kardashian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-kardashian/) > [You're very short, aren't you?" She smirked at Petunia. "And you've got a nose like a stoat," Petunia replied. "But at least I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-day-george/you-re-very-short-aren-t-you-she-smirked-at-petunia-and-you-ve-got-a/) [Jessica Day George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-day-george/) > [I put on your sequined ball gown and I checked the mirror there. Why, I looked like Cindy Crawford, but with much more body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-reed/i-put-on-your-sequined-ball-gown-and-i-checked-the-mirror-there-why-i/) [Jerry Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-reed/) > [A straight dark-green Manchu gown, with black trimmings, is my favorite. For it just about takes off those fifteen pounds I don't need and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buwei-yang-chao/a-straight-dark-green-manchu-gown-with-black-trimmings-is-my-favorite/) Buwei Yang Chao > [The temptation is to stay inside; to subside into the kind of recluse whom neighborhood children regard with derision and little awe; to let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/the-temptation-is-to-stay-inside-to-subside-into-the-kind-of-recluse/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [Finnick?" I say, "Maybe some pants?" He looks down at his legs as if noticing his outfit for the first time. Then he whips…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/finnick-i-say-maybe-some-pants-he-looks-down-at-his-legs-as-if/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Wearing a corset, a ball gown, heels and a swan hat with wings to fight in the forest gave me a whole new appreciation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-collins/wearing-a-corset-a-ball-gown-heels-and-a-swan-hat-with-wings-to-fight/) [Lily Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-collins/) > [Clothes can have a very refined vibration. An ochre robe can be extremely refined and so can a wonderful satin gown or a silk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/clothes-can-have-a-very-refined-vibration-an-ochre-robe-can-be/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [If you can dress as a stormtrooper and go to a laundromat, or wear a sexy cheese gown in public, you might start to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misha-collins/if-you-can-dress-as-a-stormtrooper-and-go-to-a-laundromat-or-wear-a/) [Misha Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misha-collins/) > [The afternoon is bright, with spring in the air, a mild March afternoon, with the breath of April stirring, I am alone in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-machado/the-afternoon-is-bright-with-spring-in-the-air-a-mild-march-afternoon/) [Antonio Machado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-machado/) > [I shall go Up and down In my gown. Gorgeously arrayed, Boned and stayed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-lowell/i-shall-go-up-and-down-in-my-gown-gorgeously-arrayed-boned-and-stayed/) [Amy Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-lowell/) > [Black for hunting through the night For death and mourning the color's white Gold for a bride in her wedding gown And red to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/black-for-hunting-through-the-night-for-death-and-mourning-the-color/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [And priests in black gowns were walking their rounds and binding with briars my joys and desires. (from 'The Garden of Love')](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-blake/and-priests-in-black-gowns-were-walking-their-rounds-and-binding-with/) [William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-blake/) Browse all 212 Gowns quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Priests, magistrates and ladies never quite take off their gowns.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Honore de Balzac" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/priests-magistrates-and-ladies-never-quite-take-off-their-gowns/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Gowns" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/priests-magistrates-and-ladies-never-quite-take-off-their-gowns/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a57/honor-de-balzac-197_gowns_priests-magistrates-and-ladies-never-qui_635471.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a57/honor-de-balzac-197_gowns_priests-magistrates-and-ladies-never-qui_635471.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a57/honor-de-balzac-197_gowns_priests-magistrates-and-ladies-never-qui_635471.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Priests, magistrates and ladies never quite take off their gowns.” — Honore de Balzac", "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": "Honore de Balzac", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Priests, magistrates and ladies never quite...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/priests-magistrates-and-ladies-never-quite-take-off-their-gowns/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/priests-magistrates-and-ladies-never-quite-take-off-their-gowns/#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 } } ] } ```