Understanding Nobility

Nobility: Origin: 350-1400; Middle English nobilite, Latin nobilitas. The quality or state of being noble; superiority of mind or of character; commanding excellence; eminence.
babylon.com | Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

Synonyms: dignity, graciousness, decency, goodness, nobleness, superiority.
MSN Encarta

  • Nobility is majesty — greatness, stateliness.
  • Nobility is rare — superior, extraordinary.
  • Nobility is magnificence — distinct and brilliant.
  • Nobility is incorruptibility — filled with honor and integrity.
  • Nobility is worthiness — of great character, value or merit.

Benefits of Nobility

  • Nobility provides pride — in knowing you give the best you have to offer.
  • Nobility provides integrity — virtuous, honorable and distinguishable.
  • Nobility provides splendor — in character, mind, body and spirit.
  • Nobility provides comfort — security to all those who rely upon the noble man.
  • Nobility provides superiority — heroes, role-models, commendable examples worthy of honor and respect.

Acts of Nobility in Everyday Life

  • The Bible — Romans 12:1-2 Paul writes, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
  • Everyday Heroes — Stories of regular people who perform spectacular acts of bravery and courage, without looking for reward or personal gain, but rather because it is the noble thing to do.
  • Desegregation — Blacks and whites worked together in southern United States to put an end to separation of people by race.
  • The Tearing Down of the Berlin Wall — It was nothing more than people's movements that was responsible for tearing down the Berlin Wall and with it, the totalitarian Soviet Governments.
  • Positive Parenting — Be consistent with children...make sure we do what we say and that we don't make promises or set expectations we do not intend to keep.

Methods for Achieving Nobility

  • Give Thought to your Thoughts — Learn to think positively rather than negatively.
  • Be an Optimist — Learn to look for the good in people and situations.
  • Let your Voice be Heard — Speak up about social issues publicly and privately.
  • Develop a Personal Mission Statement — Include your core beliefs and values and add three promises you are willing to make to yourself that line up with your values.
  • Honor Your Commitments — Mean what you say and say what you mean.

Golden Mean

Unworthiness
Nobility
Snobbery, Pretentiousness, Pomposity

Quotes for Nobility

Where there are no men, strive to be a man.
- The Jewish Haggaddah -
This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.
- Shakespeare, Hamlet -
What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson -
Losers make promises they often break. Winners make commitments they always keep.
- Dennis Waitley -

Recommended Reading

Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality — by Henry Cloud

Although he takes a very business-like perspective to it, Mr. Cloud has written a wonderful book about the virtue that used to be known simply as "character". He shares some of his most personal experiences with his readers to demonstrate how he has come to his conclusions about the way to build, gain and maintain trust.

Nobility of Spirit: A Forgotten Ideal — by Rob Rieman

It may not be popular, but Mr. Rieman has written a book that deals with the high values and ideas. He is not afraid to talk about the cost to the lifestyle and values that our current society is buying into with the emphasis we place on materialism and devaluation of high, noble standards.

General Rules

Practice virtues daily so that they become ‘habits of the heart’.

Don‘t strive for perfection.

Never give up! Remember: even the greats have off days.

Rely on your intuition.

Avoid extremes. Strive to achieve the golden mean between excess and deficiency of a virtue.

Have fun and enjoy the program with humor and optimism.



True nobility is exempt from fear. William Shakespeare
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