--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you still have to ask, shame on you" description: "\"If you still have to ask, shame on you\" — Louis Armstrong" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/louis-armstrong-7258_asks_if-you-still-have-to-ask-shame-on-you-24_2443696.png" --- # If you still have to ask, shame on you ![“If you still have to ask, shame on you” quote by Louis Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/louis-armstrong-7258_asks_if-you-still-have-to-ask-shame-on-you-24_2443696.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/louis-armstrong-7258_asks_if-you-still-have-to-ask-shame-on-you-24_2443696.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/louis-armstrong-7258_asks_if-you-still-have-to-ask-shame-on-you-24_2443696.png) > “If you still have to ask, shame on you” [Louis Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-armstrong/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker suggests that needing to ask a question indicates shamefulness. **In simple terms:** Asking implies shame. Key Takeaway Encourage self‑reliance. Themes confidence communication social norms Mood thoughtful encouraging Type self‑help social commentary When to use this quote - education - workplace - personal growth Key Concepts assertiveness self‑esteem learning Questions to Reflect On - When is asking appropriate? - How does culture shape this view? A Different Perspective Not all questions are shameful; curiosity is valuable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Shame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shame/) [Shame on you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shame-on-you/) ## Related quotes > [The perfect tools aren't going to help us if we can't face each other and give and receive fearlessly, but more important, to ask…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/the-perfect-tools-aren-t-going-to-help-us-if-we-can-t-face-each-other/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) > [Those who can ask without shame are viewing themselves in collaboration with-rather than in competition with-the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/those-who-can-ask-without-shame-are-viewing-themselves-in/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) > [If you have not the experience, ask. There is no shame in asking, but do not pretend you know when you don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/if-you-have-not-the-experience-ask-there-is-no-shame-in-asking-but-do/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [“I'm not hiding. I'm wearing my heart on my sleeve. Everything anyone wants to know about me is right in front of their faces.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-mummert/i-m-not-hiding-i-m-wearing-my-heart-on-my-sleeve-everything-anyone/) [Teresa Mummert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-mummert/) > [Shame on you, Crispin. Married how long, and you haven't spanked your wife with a metal spatula yet?" I'd gotten used to Ian's assumption…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/shame-on-you-crispin-married-how-long-and-you-haven-t-spanked-your/) [Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/) > [We live in the time where we have fictitious election results that elects a fictitious president. We live in a time where we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/we-live-in-the-time-where-we-have-fictitious-election-results-that/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [If there's not someone in your social circle who doesn't look like you, then shame on you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-anne-tuohy/if-there-s-not-someone-in-your-social-circle-who-doesn-t-look-like/) [Leigh Anne Tuohy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-anne-tuohy/) > [Shame on you for staying the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jhene-aiko/shame-on-you-for-staying-the-same/) [Jhene Aiko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jhene-aiko/) > [I got a simple rule about everybody. If you don't treat me right - shame on you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-got-a-simple-rule-about-everybody-if-you-don-t-treat-me-right-shame/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Fool witch once, shame on you. Fool witch twice, oozing sores and an eternal rash in private areas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-wisdom/fool-witch-once-shame-on-you-fool-witch-twice-oozing-sores-and-an/) [Linda Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-wisdom/) > [There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on —…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/there-s-an-old-saying-in-tennessee-i-know-it-s-in-texas-probably-in/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [We have the - the longest, friendliest border, you know, for the - for the longest time in the history - in recorded history,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tucker-carlson/we-have-the-the-longest-friendliest-border-you-know-for-the-for-the/) [Tucker Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tucker-carlson/) > [I might fall sometimes but least I don't bump my head over and over, cause something's you just can't keep being a sucka for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gee-linder/i-might-fall-sometimes-but-least-i-don-t-bump-my-head-over-and-over/) [Gee Linder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gee-linder/) > [When I grew up, shame was used as a tool for check and balance. If you stood a chance of hearing someone say, "Shame…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/when-i-grew-up-shame-was-used-as-a-tool-for-check-and-balance-if-you/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) > [Cats do what cats do, ducks do what ducks do, and eagles do what eagles, do. If you take a duck and ask it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/cats-do-what-cats-do-ducks-do-what-ducks-do-and-eagles-do-what-eagles/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## More by Louis Armstrong > [The Brick House was one of the toughest joints I ever played in ... Guys would drink and fight one another like circle saws.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-armstrong/the-brick-house-was-one-of-the-toughest-joints-i-ever-played-in-guys/) [Louis Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-armstrong/) > [ As many bands as you heard \[in New Orleans\], that's how many bands you heard playing right. I thought I was in Heaven playing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-armstrong/as-many-bands-as-you-heard-in-new-orleans-that-s-how-many-bands-you/) [Louis Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-armstrong/) > [There's a thing I've dreamed of all my life, and I'll be damned if it don't look like it's about to come true-to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-armstrong/there-s-a-thing-i-ve-dreamed-of-all-my-life-and-i-ll-be-damned-if-it/) [Louis Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-armstrong/) > [ \[Bebop is\] Chinese music. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-armstrong/bebop-is-chinese-music/) [Louis Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-armstrong/) > [I've Got the World on a String,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-armstrong/i-ve-got-the-world-on-a-string/) [Louis Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-armstrong/) > [Seems to me it ain't the world that's so bad but what we're doing to it, and all I'm saying is: see what a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-armstrong/seems-to-me-it-ain-t-the-world-that-s-so-bad-but-what-we-re-doing-to/) [Louis Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-armstrong/) > [Jazz is played from the heart. You can even live by it. Always love it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-armstrong/jazz-is-played-from-the-heart-you-can-even-live-by-it-always-love-it/) [Louis Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-armstrong/) > [The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky Are also on the faces of people goin' by I see friends shaking hands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-armstrong/the-colors-of-the-rainbow-so-pretty-in-the-sky-are-also-on-the-faces/) [Louis Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-armstrong/) > [A lotta cats copy the Mona Lisa, but people still line up to see the original.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-armstrong/a-lotta-cats-copy-the-mona-lisa-but-people-still-line-up-to-see-the/) [Louis Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-armstrong/) > [If it hadn't been for Jazz, there wouldn't be no rock and roll.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-armstrong/if-it-hadn-t-been-for-jazz-there-wouldn-t-be-no-rock-and-roll/) [Louis Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-armstrong/) > [The memory of things gone is important to a jazz musician.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-armstrong/the-memory-of-things-gone-is-important-to-a-jazz-musician/) [Louis Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-armstrong/) > [And I think to myself what a wonderful world. Oh, yeah…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-armstrong/and-i-think-to-myself-what-a-wonderful-world-oh-yeah/) [Louis Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-armstrong/) > [You blows who you is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-armstrong/you-blows-who-you-is/) [Louis Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-armstrong/) > [When I go to the Gate, I'll play a duet with Gabriel. Yeah, we'll play 'Sleepy Time Down South' and 'Hello, Dolly!.' Then he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-armstrong/when-i-go-to-the-gate-i-ll-play-a-duet-with-gabriel-yeah-we-ll-play/) [Louis Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-armstrong/) > [It really puzzles me to see marijuana connected with narcotics . . . dope and all that crap. It's a thousand times better than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-armstrong/it-really-puzzles-me-to-see-marijuana-connected-with-narcotics-dope/) [Louis Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-armstrong/) [Explore all 92 Louis Armstrong quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-armstrong/) ## More Asks quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [I don't wear a watch because I want my arms to weigh the same. So if somebody asks me what time it is, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/i-don-t-wear-a-watch-because-i-want-my-arms-to-weigh-the-same-so-if/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [I am a practicing Catholic, but my lineage is Jewish, so if someone asks me if I'm Jewish, I say yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neve-campbell/i-am-a-practicing-catholic-but-my-lineage-is-jewish-so-if-someone/) [Neve Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neve-campbell/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. It's AIDS, it's herpes, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/freedom-in-every-sense-but-primarily-political-sense-a-rise-in/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [Why did Erich von Stronheim leave Germany? Why did Hitchcock leave England? If you were a director you'd like to work in Hollywood too.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-polanski/why-did-erich-von-stronheim-leave-germany-why-did-hitchcock-leave/) [Roman Polanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-polanski/) > [There is nothing more I ask of this life than this moment, exactly so. And suddenly forever seems like too short a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-andreas/there-is-nothing-more-i-ask-of-this-life-than-this-moment-exactly-so/) [Brian Andreas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-andreas/) > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [The most fundamental question we can ever ask ourselves is whether or not the universe we live in is friendly or hostile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-most-fundamental-question-we-can-ever-ask-ourselves-is-whether-or/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The rich people are apparently leaving America. They're giving up their citizenship. These great lovers of America who made their money in this country-when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/the-rich-people-are-apparently-leaving-america-they-re-giving-up/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [There is a way to be a woman, ask for what we deserve and be able to negotiate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/there-is-a-way-to-be-a-woman-ask-for-what-we-deserve-and-be-able-to/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) > [For someone to ask 'Who did you play for' and to be able to answer a single name 'Liverpool' that would be brilliant...I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-carragher/for-someone-to-ask-who-did-you-play-for-and-to-be-able-to-answer-a/) [Jamie Carragher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-carragher/) > [I have no hesitation in saying that although the American woman never leaves her domestic sphere and is in some respects very dependent within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/i-have-no-hesitation-in-saying-that-although-the-american-woman-never/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [Ask God for temp'rance. That's th' appliance only Which your disease requires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/ask-god-for-temp-rance-that-s-th-appliance-only-which-your-disease/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I don't know how to say it exactly. Only...I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense?' he asks. I shake my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-don-t-know-how-to-say-it-exactly-only-i-want-to-die-as-myself-does/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Physicist Isador Isaac Rabi, who won a Nobel Prize for inventing a technique that permitted scientists to probe the structure of atoms and molecules…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-saul-wurman/physicist-isador-isaac-rabi-who-won-a-nobel-prize-for-inventing-a/) [Richard Saul Wurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-saul-wurman/) Browse all 7,138 Asks quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you still have to ask, shame on you", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Louis Armstrong" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-armstrong/if-you-still-have-to-ask-shame-on-you/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Asks" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-armstrong/if-you-still-have-to-ask-shame-on-you/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/louis-armstrong-7258_asks_if-you-still-have-to-ask-shame-on-you-24_2443696.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/louis-armstrong-7258_asks_if-you-still-have-to-ask-shame-on-you-24_2443696.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/louis-armstrong-7258_asks_if-you-still-have-to-ask-shame-on-you-24_2443696.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you still have to ask, shame on you” — Louis Armstrong", "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": "Louis Armstrong", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-armstrong/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If you still have to ask,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-armstrong/if-you-still-have-to-ask-shame-on-you/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-armstrong/if-you-still-have-to-ask-shame-on-you/#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 } } ] } ```