Shame Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old shame quotes, shame sayings, and shame proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.

The only shame is to have none. Blaise Pascal
Shame is nothing more than the denial of truth. M Funkhouser
Never shame to hear what you have nobly done. William Shakespeare
It is a shame that when we have a good dream we are asleep at the time. P.K. Shaw
You cannot really shame a man who sincerely does not care what others think of him. Mokokoma Mokhonoana
Shame derives its power from being unspeakable. Brene Brown
Once we realize that imperfect understanding is the human condition there is no shame in being wrong, only in failing to correct our mistakes. George Soros
Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame. Benjamin Franklin
If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can't survive. Brene Brown
We need never be ashamed of our tears. Charles Dickens
One of the misfortunes of our time is that in getting rid of false shame, we have killed off so much real shame as well. Louis Kronenberger
If we have anything kind to say, any tender sentiment to express, we feel a sense of shame. Ugo Betti
I count him lost, who is lost to shame. Plautus
Having been poor is no shame, but being ashamed of it, is. Benjamin Franklin
There is no shame in not knowing something. The shame is in not being willing to learn. Alison Croggon
Soul, if you want to learn secrets, your heart must forget about shame and dignity. You are God's lover, yet you worry what people are saying. Rumi
What a man is ashamed of is always at bottom himself, and he is ashamed of himself at bottom always for being afraid. Robin G. Collingwood
The worst kind of shame is being ashamed of frugality or poverty. Livy
Repentance keeps sin from condemning us because Jesus died and scorned the shame. Mark Driscoll
Whilst shame keeps its watch, virtue is not wholly extinguished in the heart nor will moderation be utterly exiled from the minds of tyrants. Edmund Burke
Study carefully, the character of the one you recommend, lest their misconduct bring you shame. Marcus Tullius Cicero
Nothing is truly infamous, but what is wicked and therefore shame can never disturb an innocent and virtuous mind. Thomas Sherlock
Shame is pride's cloak. William Blake
Where the mind is past hope, the heart is past shame. John Lyly
Less shame a greater fault would palliate. Dante Alighieri
Shame is a fitter and generally a more effectual punishment for a child than beating. Samuel Richardson
Vanity, shame, and above all disposition, often make men brave and women chaste. Francois de la Rochefoucauld
Everyone needs a sense of shame, but no one needs to feel ashamed. Friedrich Nietzsche
Shame is the power we give others to wield over us. Chinelo Okparanta
Shame is no comrade for the poor, I weet. Homer