ABSTRACT

The presumptive origin of the feminine sense of modesty may be regarded as known to the reader. It is most intimately connected with the fact that in primitive time woman was a form of booty. Woman was the prey of the conqueror in wars and raids, and the prize of the successful rival in single combat. Despite prehistoric genealogy, the sentiment of modesty is one of those qualities which have to be inculcated by education, which have to be freshly acquired in each generation. This is a suitable opportunity to consider whether modesty is, generally speaking, a sign of high civilisation. The mere fact that in ancient Greece, the very fount of modern civilisation, manners and customs were current hardly possible in association with a highly developed sentiment of modesty, would appear to conflict with any such notion. The suitable opportunity to consider whether modesty is, generally speaking, a sign of high civilisation.