--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What is certain is that the world has got…" description: "\"“What is certain is that the world has got beyond the stage at which one may affect modesty and maidenly shame, and I think that the world is too old a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ade/theophile-gautier-7224_marriage_what-is-certain-is-that-the-world-has-go_955618.jpg" --- # What is certain is that the world has got beyond the stage… ![“What is certain is that the world has got beyond the stage at which one may affect modesty and maidenly shame, and I think that the world is too old a duffer to assume to be childish and maidenly without becoming ridiculous. Since its marriage to civilization society has forfeited its right to be…” quote by Théophile Gautier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ade/theophile-gautier-7224_marriage_what-is-certain-is-that-the-world-has-go_955618.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ade/theophile-gautier-7224_marriage_what-is-certain-is-that-the-world-has-go_955618.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ade/theophile-gautier-7224_marriage_what-is-certain-is-that-the-world-has-go_955618.jpg) > ““What is certain is that the world has got beyond the stage at which one may affect modesty and maidenly shame, and I think that the world is too old a duffer to assume to be childish and maidenly without becoming ridiculous. Since its marriage to civilization society has forfeited its right to be ingenuous and prudish. There is a blush which beseems the bride as she is being bedded, which would be out of place on the morrow; for the young wife mayhap remembers no more what it is to be a girl, or, if she does remember it, it is very indecent, and seriously compromises the reputation of the husband.”” [Théophile Gautier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophile-gautier/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote critiques modern society's loss of innocence and modesty, suggesting that civilization forces people to abandon youthful naiveté, making genuine shame or blush seem outdated and absurd. **In simple terms:** Society has outgrown modesty, making old-fashioned shame seem ridiculous. Key Takeaway Embrace authenticity over outdated modesty. Themes society modesty civilization authenticity Mood reflective critical Type philosophical social commentary When to use this quote - personal relationships - social commentary - self‑reflection Key Concepts cultural critique psychology gender roles Questions to Reflect On - How does civilization shape our sense of shame? - Can authenticity coexist with social expectations? A Different Perspective Modern norms can suppress genuine emotional expression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Young wife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-wife/) ## Related quotes > [I am comfortable talking about sex scenes and stuff, but to me, when it's physically explicit, I do feel prudish and uncomfortable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-waller-bridge/i-am-comfortable-talking-about-sex-scenes-and-stuff-but-to-me-when-it/) [Phoebe Waller-Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-waller-bridge/) > [She once said, 'I'm really a little prudish, which people may think incongruous'. 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