To be sure an European woman would blush to her fingers ends at the very idea of appearing publicly stark naked; but education and prejudice are everything, since it is an axiom, that where there is no feeling of self-reproach, there can assuredly be no shame.

Summary

This quote suggests that societal norms and cultural conditioning play a significant role in defining ideas of shame and modesty. The reference to a European woman blushing at the thought of being naked in public highlights the impact of education and societal judgment. It implies that shame is subjective and depends on individual beliefs and judgments, as without a feeling of self-reproach, there would be no sense of shame. In essence, this quote challenges the universality of shame and emphasizes its dependence on social constructs and personal notions.

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