It is very common in refined sectors of our society or not, as on informal occasions, in the conversation between friends and family when we have someone among us who has a gentle, polite and helpful profile, call him "gentleman."
"Gentleman" has almost become a popular title in our society, bestowed upon a man with noble, refined, educated, gentle acts, who has a natural impulse to help someone who needs him whenever possible.
But are we, "modern powders," correctly applying that term or commendation so noble?
Days ago, I was reading a book by an author who always admired his biography, but who had not yet stopped to read his books, called: C.S. Lewis. In a part of his book "Christianity pure and simple," he deals precisely with this custom we have in calling "gentleman," who is not truly a "gentleman." I'll explain better.
According to Lewis, the title of "gentleman" was granted in a remote time of England for noble people, who had imperial titles (coat of arms) and land ownership.
"Whenever we said that someone was "a gentleman", no compliment was being made, but simply acknowledging a fact."
(C.S Lewis - "Christianity pure and simple," - PG. 17)
According to Lewis, the word "gentleman" has become useless since it has lost its descriptive form (of announcing one's position) and has become merely a way of praising, extolling, or recognizing one's "noble" deeds.
So a person today who knows the real meaning and meaning of the word "gentleman" (as those who read this post are now aware) if they refer to someone as not being a gentleman, they are not committing any "sin" but simply stating a fact. At first, everyone will reproach you with their looks and gestures, thinking this is an insult. They will want to "burn you at the stake"!
In the literal and historical sense, a "gentleman" can be noble and at the same time a man without character, principles. An arrogant and selfish person I often confess. In our modern sense a gentleman may be poor, not have the money to buy his daily bread, but by his "noble" acts of help, by his education and charity he is a "gentleman" in fact.
What Kind of Gentleman Are You?
Portuguese Version Here!
Source IMG - 1, 2
Obrigado por ter lido o meu post!
Thanks for Reading My Post!
Goood
You got a 4.37% upvote from @emperorofnaps courtesy of @jsantana!
Want to promote your posts too? Send 0.05+ SBD or STEEM to @emperorofnaps to receive a share of a full upvote every 2.4 hours...Then go relax and take a nap!