--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The business of the state trying to…" description: "\"The business of the state trying to legislate modesty is relatively both an infantile and ridiculous procedure. Of course, it is true that the more thi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/869/paul-outerbridge-45132_appeals_the-business-of-the-state-trying-to-legi_2595791.jpg" --- # The business of the state trying to legislate modesty is… ![“The business of the state trying to legislate modesty is relatively both an infantile and ridiculous procedure. Of course, it is true that the more things are secreted the more intriguing they become, because it is always the forbidden that has the strongest appeal. Nudity is a state of fact…” quote by Paul Outerbridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/869/paul-outerbridge-45132_appeals_the-business-of-the-state-trying-to-legi_2595791.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/869/paul-outerbridge-45132_appeals_the-business-of-the-state-trying-to-legi_2595791.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/869/paul-outerbridge-45132_appeals_the-business-of-the-state-trying-to-legi_2595791.jpg) > “The business of the state trying to legislate modesty is relatively both an infantile and ridiculous procedure. Of course, it is true that the more things are secreted the more intriguing they become, because it is always the forbidden that has the strongest appeal. Nudity is a state of fact - lewdity a state of mind.” [Paul Outerbridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-outerbridge/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The state’s attempt to regulate modesty is childish and absurd; secrecy makes things more alluring, and nudity is factual while lewdness is mental. **In simple terms:** Regulating modesty is foolish; secrecy draws interest; nudity is natural, lewdness is mindset. Key Takeaway Question the need for moral legislation. Themes morality politics culture secrecy human nature Mood skeptical critical Type political philosophical When to use this quote - legislative debates - media commentary - public policy - cultural criticism Key Concepts social control psychology freedom Questions to Reflect On - Is modesty a personal choice or a societal imposition? - How does secrecy affect desire? A Different Perspective Such regulation may ignore deeper societal values. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Modesty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modesty/) [Nudity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nudity/) [State of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-of-mind/) ## Related quotes > [Nudity is a state of fact; lewdity, to coin a phrase, is a state of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-outerbridge/nudity-is-a-state-of-fact-lewdity-to-coin-a-phrase-is-a-state-of-mind/) [Paul Outerbridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-outerbridge/) > [Man is insatiable for power; he is infantile in his desires and, always discontented with what he has, loves only what he has not.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-de-maistre/man-is-insatiable-for-power-he-is-infantile-in-his-desires-and-always/) [Joseph de Maistre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-de-maistre/) > [Indeed, the great Leonardo (da Vinci) remained like a child for the whole of his life in more than one way. 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