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Thoughtfulness for others, generosity, modesty, and self-respect are the qualities which make a real gentleman or lady.
Thomas Huxley
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Interpretation

What this quote means

True gentility is characterized by respect for others and virtuous qualities like generosity and modesty.

In this quote, Thomas Huxley emphasizes that the essence of a true gentleman or lady lies in their thoughtfulness towards others, as well as in attributes such as generosity, modesty, and self-respect. These qualities denote a person's character, highlighting that social grace is not merely about appearance or status, but rather about one's moral integrity and consideration for those around them.

Themes

GentlemanQualitiesThoughtfulnessGenerosityModestySelf-Respect

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about leadership qualities, one might say, 'As Thomas Huxley noted, thoughtfulness and self-respect are essential traits of a true gentleman.'

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It is the first duty of a hypothesis to be intelligible.
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Of the few innocent pleasures left to men past middle life, the jamming of common sense down the throats of fools is perhaps the keenest.
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