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The World Needs More Gentlemen And Fewer Men
Ten behaviors of guys with impeccable class
Long ago, the title of gentleman belonged to men of the right lineage who were removed from manual labor.
Those rigid requirements loosened in the 1700s. Richard Steele, a British politician of the era, wrote in 1710, “The appellation of Gentleman is never to be affixed to a man’s circumstances, but to his behavior in them.”
The definition continues to evolve in line with cultural trends. But it’s not the definition that’s problematic. It’s that men no longer desire the appellation of Gentleman. Usage of the word began to decline in 1852, and it’s still falling according to Google Ngram.
In modern times, the macho male caricature holds more sway. We see gentlemanship as archaic and weak while we look up to the primal man — those who consume power, take what they want, and use any means necessary to achieve their aims.
That’s why we need more gentlemen and fewer men. The mere man values himself above all else, while the gentleman values his character above all else. He also lives by these ten virtues.
1. Follow the golden rule of gentlemanship.
In my younger years, I had a knack for insulting people and responding with cheap shots when I felt slighted. Back then, emotion dictated my actions. The logical part of my brain refused to assert itself.
It wasn’t until my thirties that I matured and learned a helpful technique that has allowed me to master my emotions. It’s called the golden rule of gentlemanship, and it’s the foundation for all other values and behaviors.
Ignore your initial impulse, take a deep breath, and think about what action will serve you best in the long run — The golden rule of gentlemanship
If you can’t control your impulses, you can’t become a gentleman. It’s a challenge for men, myself included, but it’s easy to overcome. A pause and a deep breath will take you far in life.
