--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Worry had crept on a corroding world, and…" description: "\"“Worry had crept on a corroding world, and what was lost--good manners, ease and beauty? Ladies were not ladies any more, and you couldn't trust a gent..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/778/john-steinbeck-71_beauty_worry-had-crept-on-a-corroding-world-and_3120839.jpg" --- # Worry had crept on a corroding world, and what was… ![“Worry had crept on a corroding world, and what was lost--good manners, ease and beauty? Ladies were not ladies any more, and you couldn't trust a gentleman's word. There was a time when people kept their fly buttons fastened. And man's freedom was boiling off. Where did all the good stones go, and…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/778/john-steinbeck-71_beauty_worry-had-crept-on-a-corroding-world-and_3120839.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/778/john-steinbeck-71_beauty_worry-had-crept-on-a-corroding-world-and_3120839.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/778/john-steinbeck-71_beauty_worry-had-crept-on-a-corroding-world-and_3120839.jpg) > ““Worry had crept on a corroding world, and what was lost--good manners, ease and beauty? Ladies were not ladies any more, and you couldn't trust a gentleman's word. There was a time when people kept their fly buttons fastened. And man's freedom was boiling off. Where did all the good stones go, and all simplicity?”” [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Notes a decline in civility and simplicity, lamenting loss of manners and trust in society. **In simple terms:** Society losing manners. Key Takeaway Value kindness and simplicity. Themes culture decay trust Mood melancholic thoughtful Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - family life - public interactions - community building - urban development Key Concepts social change nostalgia Questions to Reflect On - What habits can we revive today? - How do we balance tradition with modernity? A Different Perspective Nostalgia may romanticize past; change can bring progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Beauty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beauty/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Gentleman Word](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleman-word-5478177/) [Good man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-man/) [Good manners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-manners/) [Man Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-freedom/) [Man's Word](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mans-word/) [Manners Ease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manners-ease-1959218/) [Worry Crept](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worry-crept-5478176/) ## Related quotes > [For the world was changing, and sweetness was gone, and virtue too. 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