Good man Quote by Marcel Proust
““Her mind, shaped so long before my own, was for me the equivalent of what had been offered me by the behaviour of the girls of the little gang along the sea-shore. Mme de Guermantes offered me, tamed and subdued by good manners, by respect for intellectual values, the energy and charm of a cruel little girl from one of the noble families around Combray, who from her childhood had ridden horses, sadistically tormented cats, gouged out the eyes of rabbits, and, while remaining a paragon of virtue, might equally well have been, some years back now, and so much did she share his dashing style, the most glamorous mistress of the Prince de Sagan.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: In Search of Lost Time, Volume I, 1913
The narrator compares a refined woman to a wild, cruel child, highlighting the coexistence of civility and savagery in a single person.
In simple terms: A cultured lady can hide a fierce, animalistic side.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the complexity behind polished appearances.
Themes
identity
duality
social masks
class
psychology
Mood
reflective
curious
Type
literary
character study
When to use this quote
- high society gatherings
- family gatherings
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
nobility
masculinity
inner conflict
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we reconcile refined manners with hidden impulses?
- What does this say about societal expectations of women?
A Different Perspective
The comparison may over‑simplify the woman's character.
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