Books Quote by Virginia Woolf
““No, Charles Tansley would put them both right in a second about books, but it was all so mixed up with, Am I saying the right thing? Am I making a good impression? that, after all, one knew more about him than about Tolstoi, whereas, what Paul said was about the thing, simply, not himself, nothing else. Like all stupid people, he had a kind of modesty too, a consideration for what you were feeling, which, once in a way at least, she found attractive. Now he was thinking, not about himself, or about Tolstoi, but whether she was cold, whether she felt a draught, whether she would like a pear.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Mrs Dalloway, 1925
The passage reflects a character’s anxiety about social perception, intellectual self‑worth, and romantic interest, mixing self‑doubt with attempts at modesty.
In simple terms: Worrying about impressing others and being modest.
Key Takeaway
Balance authenticity with social awareness.
Themes
anxiety
self‑image
romance
intellectualism
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
novel
literary
When to use this quote
- social gatherings
- first impressions
- literary critique
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
modesty
perception
social dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does self‑doubt shape interaction?
- When is modesty beneficial?
A Different Perspective
May over‑analyze and inhibit genuine connection.
