Family Quote by Marcel Proust
““And if I asked him, “Do you know the Guermantes family?” Legrandin the talker would reply, “No, I have never cared to know them.” But unfortunately the talker was now subordinated to another Legrandin, whom he kept carefully hidden in his breast, whom he would never consciously exhibit, because this other could tell stories about our own Legrandin and about his snobbishness which would have ruined his reputation for ever; and this other Legrandin had replied to me already in that wounded look, that stiffened smile, the undue gravity of his tone””
About This Quote
Source Novel: In Search of Lost Time, Volume 4, 1919
A narrator reveals a hidden, self‑protective persona that manipulates others’ perceptions to preserve reputation, exposing social pretensions and internal conflict.
In simple terms: A secret self protects reputation by hiding true thoughts.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and manage hidden motives.
Themes
identity
reputation
social masks
self‑protection
conflict
Mood
introspective
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- literary analysis
- personal reflection
- social interaction
- career navigation
- relationship management
Key Concepts
psychology
social dynamics
self‑deception
Questions to Reflect On
- How does self‑deception affect trust?
- What motivates the concealment of true feelings?
A Different Perspective
The hidden self may also alienate genuine connections.
![“For her [Françoise], wealth was like a necessary condition without which virtue would lack both merit and charm. She made so little distinction between the two that she came to see their qualities as interchangeable, expecting material comfort from virtue and moral edification from wealth.” quote by Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/573/marcel-proust-114_character_for-her-fran-oise-wealth-was-like-a-nece_2687.jpg)
