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Essential characteristics of a gentleman: The will to put himself in the place of others; the horror of forcing others into positions from which he would himself recoil; and the power to do what seems to him to be right without considering what others may say or think.
John Galsworthy
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Interpretation

What this quote means

A true gentleman acts with empathy and integrity, prioritizing moral principles over societal judgment.

This quote by John Galsworthy describes essential traits of a gentleman, highlighting the importance of empathy, moral fortitude, and independence from public opinion. A gentleman is someone who can understand and share in the feelings of others, avoids putting them in uncomfortable situations, and has the courage to do what he believes is right despite potential criticism or disapproval from others.

Themes

GentlemanEmpathyIntegrityMoral PrinciplesIndependence

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about ethics in business, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of integrity.

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From behind a wooden crate we saw a long black-muzzled nose poking round at us. We took him out-soft, wobbly, tearful; set him down on his four, as yet not quite simultaneous legs, and regarded him. He wandered a little round our legs, neither wagging his tail nor licking at our hands; then he looked up, and my companion said: "He's an angel!"
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