What is a Gentleman?

Ashley Thorne

The Network of enlightened Women (NeW) is hosting a national gentlemen’s showcase, a competition meant to recognize college men who exemplify chivalry in an age that disdains the traditional roles of men and women. NeW asked NAS, “What is a gentleman?” and it got us thinking.  

Here at the National Association of Scholars, the civilization we are working to revive is inspired by our vision for institutions of higher education. We seek to foster reasoned scholarship and civil debate in American colleges and universities. But higher education requires higher behavior from the people who animate it. It takes a certain kind of person to actually embody reason and civility so that scholarship will be accurate and debate will be open. In that sense, we are working not just to reform the university, but to reform the character of the next generation. We want to see the academy produce gentlemen and gentlewomen scholars. As for a gentleman, here’s our endeavor at defining him: 

A gentleman is a civil and courteous man of honor who has the humility to listen to others. He is a man of character; he acts honestly even when no one is watching. He treats women with dignity and kindness. He possesses manly courage and intelligent curiosity, and he appreciates noble ideas. A gentleman is not self-centered and does not shift blame but accepts defeat with grace. He is disciplined and exercises good judgment.  

A gentleman always champions the truth. 

  • Share

Most Commented

January 24, 2024

1.

After Claudine

The idea has caught on that the radical left overplayed its hand in DEI and is now vulnerable to those of us who seek major reforms. This is not, however, the first time that the a......

February 13, 2024

2.

The Great Academic Divorce with China

All signs show that American education is beginning a long and painful divorce with the People’s Republic of China. But will academia go through with it?...

October 31, 2023

3.

University of Washington Violated Non-Discrimination Policy, Internal Report Finds

A faculty hiring committee at the University of Washington “inappropriately considered candidates’ races when determining the order of offers,” provided “disparate op......

Most Read

May 15, 2015

1.

Where Did We Get the Idea That Only White People Can Be Racist?

A look at the double standard that has arisen regarding racism, illustrated recently by the reaction to a black professor's biased comments on Twitter....

October 12, 2010

2.

Ask a Scholar: What is the True Definition of Latino?

What does it mean to be Latino? Are only Latin American people Latino, or does the term apply to anyone whose language derived from Latin?...

July 8, 2011

3.

Ask a Scholar: What Is Structural-Functionalism, Conflict Theory and Symbolic Interactionism?

Professor Jonathan Imber clarifies concepts of sociologocal theory....