---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What then have I done? What, except yield…"
description: "\"What then have I done? What, except yield to a natural feeling, inspired by beauty, sanctioned by virtue and kept at all times within the bounds of res..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd5/vicomte-de-valmont-110553_beauty_what-then-have-i-done-what-except-yield_2855844.jpg"
---

#  What then have I done? What, except yield to a natural…

![“What then have I done? What, except yield to a natural feeling, inspired by beauty, sanctioned by virtue and kept at all times within the bounds of respect. It's innocent expression prompted not by hope but by trust” quote by Vicomte De Valmont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd5/vicomte-de-valmont-110553_beauty_what-then-have-i-done-what-except-yield_2855844.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd5/vicomte-de-valmont-110553_beauty_what-then-have-i-done-what-except-yield_2855844.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd5/vicomte-de-valmont-110553_beauty_what-then-have-i-done-what-except-yield_2855844.jpg)

> “What then have I done? What, except yield to a natural feeling, inspired by beauty, sanctioned by virtue and kept at all times within the bounds of respect. It's innocent expression prompted not by hope but by trust”

[Vicomte De Valmont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicomte-de-valmont/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

An innocent expression inspired by beauty, virtue, and respect, not hope, but trust.

**In simple terms:** Beauty and virtue inspire pure expression.

Key Takeaway

Act with respect guided by trust.

Themes

beauty virtue respect

Mood

calm inspired

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

- artistic creation
- ethical decisions
- personal conduct

Key Concepts

moral philosophy aesthetic inspiration trust

Questions to Reflect On

- What drives your pure actions?
- How does virtue shape expression?

A Different Perspective

Trust can be fragile.

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[Beauty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beauty/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Innocent Expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innocent-expression-2406626/) [Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Respect Innocent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect-innocent-3825646/) [Sanctioned Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sanctioned-virtue-3825647/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Virtue Kept](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue-kept-3825648/)

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## More by Vicomte De Valmont

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