Charlus Quote by Marcel Proust
““At that moment, noticing that his embroidered handkerchief was revealing part of its coloured edging, he thrust it back into his pocket with a startled glance, like a prudish but not innocent woman concealing bodily charms which in her excessive modesty she sees as wanton.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: In Search of Lost Time, Volume 1, 1913
A character hides a small, revealing detail out of embarrassment, comparing it to a modest woman covering her allure.
In simple terms: He hides a hint of color out of shyness.
Key Takeaway
Accept vulnerability instead of concealing it.
Themes
embarrassment
modesty
selfconsciousness
Mood
self‑conscious
reflective
Type
literary
observational
When to use this quote
- first dates
- public speaking
- fashion choices
- personal branding
Key Concepts
social anxiety
selfimage
perception
Questions to Reflect On
- What small detail are you hiding?
- How does modesty affect your self‑presentation?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may overdramatize a simple act, limiting its relevance.
![“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)
