BASHFULNESS

Alcott, Amos Bronson
We do not accept as genuine the person not characterized by this blushing bashfulness, this youthfulness of heart, this sensibility to the sentiment of suavity and self-respect. Modesty is bred of self-reverence.—Fine manners are the the mantle of fair minds.—None are truly great without this ornament.

Aristotle
Bashfulness is an ornament to youth, but a reproach to old age.

Bacon, Francis
Bashfulness is a great hindrance to a man, both in uttering his sentiments and in understanding what is proposed to him; it is therefore good to press forward with discretion, both in discourse and company of the better sort.

Fuller, Thomas
Conceit not so high an opinion of any one as to be bashful and impotent in their presence.

Johnson, Samuel
Bashfulness may sometimes exclude pleasure, but seldom opens any avenue to sorrow or remorse.

Mackenzie, Henry
There are two kinds of bashfulness: one, the awkwardness of the booby, which a few steps into the world will convert into the pertness of a coxcomb; the other, a consciousness, which the most delicate feelings produce, and the most extensive knowledge cannot always remove.

Plutarch
We must prune it with care, so as only to remove the redundant branches, and not injure the stem, which has its root in a generous sensitiveness to shame.

Shenstone, William
Bashfulness is more frequently connected with good sense than with over assurance; and impudence, on the other hand, is often the effect of downright stupidity.