Casaubon’s intense intellectual efforts did not yield the recognition he desired, leading to a sense of exclusion and suspicion towards others’ perceptions of him. Instead of producing significant scholarly contributions, such as the anticipated 'Key to all Mythologies,' his work resulted in a deep-seated awareness of his inadequacies and a lingering doubt about how he was viewed by his peers. This ongoing internal struggle reflected a disconnect between his ambitions and actual accomplishments.

While Casaubon appeared to be consumed by his scholarly pursuits, this very ambition left him feeling emotionally unfulfilled and wounded. His relentless drive for achievement may have seemed impressive to onlookers, yet it masked a painful resistance to acknowledging his lack of real success. Ultimately, his intellectual endeavors did not shelter him from the vulnerabilities of insecurity and disappointment.