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15 Greatest Gentleman Quotes of All Time

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So, you’ve already established that you are a gentleman who always smells good, dresses well, and behaves appropriately in any situation. While on the outside you already look and act the way a gentleman should be, this lifestyle involves more than just being presentable, courteous, and polite.

A North Star for your way of life might help in keeping you on track and maintaining your lifestyle as a gentleman. Since defining your purpose might take some time and more thought, beginning with something as simple as a quote to live by might start the ball rolling towards your destination.

There are various types of quotes for different purposes. Say, you want to be more optimistic, then you should be looking for positive quotes. Feeling a little down? Inspirational quotes may help you get back up. But, if you are wondering, there are also gentleman quotes that you can live by to strengthen the foundation of this lifestyle. These sayings or passages from anecdotes can be applied to life in general, or even to certain aspects such as personal, family, or work.

Gentleman quotes are excerpts from the wisdom of intelligent, well-spoken, and focused men who have dedicated themselves to improving society in their own ways. You may not understand what a quote means the first time you stumble upon it. But as life happens, you will eventually learn a thing or two about it in retrospect.

The Importance of Quotes in a Man’s Life

To help you visualize how quotes can help improve your life, Imagine a compass that points you in the right direction of where you want to be. Quotes have the same function as compasses to your life. You may not be lost right now, but having a good sense of direction prevents you from ever being led astray in the future.

Keep in mind that being a gentleman is not something that any man is entitled to. You have to work on the physical, emotional, intellectual, and even spiritual aspects of your life to be one. This is no easy feat, so if you genuinely want to be called a gentleman, you’re going to need every bit of help that you can get—even as simple as these quotes.

Gentleman Quotes

“Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought.”

–Henri Bergson
Gentleman-quotes 1

Henri Louis Bergson is a French philosopher who was born on October 18, 1859. He won a Nobel Prize in 1927 for his ideas and skills in Literature. Bergson shed a light to process philosophy, a field that prioritized change, motion, and evolution instead of static values. During the development of his philosophy, he first implemented the method of intuitive introspection.

“Anyone can be heroic from time to time, but a gentleman is something you have to be all the time.”

–Luigi Pirandello
Gentleman-quotes 2

Born on June 28, 1867 in Girgenti, Sicily, Luigi Pirandello was known for his plays. His literary works revolve around three major concepts— reality, sanity, and identity. In 1934, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his ability to convey psychological analysis to people using theater as a medium. 

“A gentleman is one who puts more into the world than he takes out.”

–George Bernard Shaw
Gentleman-quotes 3

Bernard Shaw, as he liked to be called, was born on July 26, 1856. He was a radical rationalist and was very hostile about organized training. Using his verbal prowess and genuine interest in hearing two opposing sides have led him to achieve the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925.

“Don’t raise your voice. improve your argument.”

–Desmond Tutu
Gentleman-quotes 4

A theologian, human rights activist, and the Nobel Peace Prize awardee of 1984, Desmond Tutu was known for his efforts towards ending apartheid in South Africa. Apartheid, an African word, translates to separateness, which is why Tutu’s objective was to achieve a “democratic and just society without racial divisions.” He was born on October 7, 1931 and is still doing efforts to forward human rights today. 

“A man does what he must—in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures—and that is the basis of all human morality.”

–Winston Churchill
Gentleman-quotes 5

The Right Honorable Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953 for his works on campaign reports, autobiographies, and oratorical speeches. His valuable efforts as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the Second World War were acclaimed by the whole country. In that same year, he won the Nobel Prize, Queen Elizabeth II conferred him the dignity of the Knighthood and gave him the insignia of the Order of the Garter. The British statesman was born on November 30, 1874 and was also known for his unwillingness to give up despite how difficult things turned out. 

“Education begins the gentleman, but reading, good company and reflection must finish him.”

–John Locke
Gentleman-quotes 6

The Father of Liberalism, John Locke was born on August 29, 1632. He believed that there are two motivations to human nature namely, reason and tolerance. Locke was a brilliant student but like Bernard Shaw, he had negative sentiments towards corporal punishment in schools. He expressed these in his work entitled “Some Thoughts Concerning Education” in 1693.

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

–Ian Maclaren
Gentleman-quotes 7

John Watson was born on November 8, 1850 and studied philosophy before finally deciding to pursue the path of ministry. He did literary work for both personal and religious purposes so he decided to have one. Ian Maclaren was the pen name of Watson. 

“Character is how you treat those who can do nothing for you.”

–Al Pacino
Gentleman-quotes 8

American actor and director Alfredo James Pacino was born on April 25, 1940. He is best known for his unparalleled acting skills which earned him a number of awards from bodies like Tony’s, Emmy’s, and Oscar’s. The Godfather actor was also bestowed the National Medal of Arts and the Cecil D. DeMille lifetime achievement awards through the course of his acting career.

“One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.”

–Bryant H. McGill
Gentleman-quotes 9

Bryan Harrison McGill, born on November 7, 1969, is one of the leading social media influencers today thanks to the multitude of audiences he has cultivated in his career as a human potential thought leader. Among his well-known roles in society include being a United Nations Appointed Global Champion, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and an Ambassador of Goodwill. His works as a poet, communicator, and linguist have been endorsed by and published on different platforms but his most effective medium is through giving keynote speeches. 

“Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow know what you truly want to become.”

–Steve Jobs
Gentleman-quotes 10

American business magnate, Steven Paul Jobs was born on February 24, 1955. Jobs was a genius and a visionary who was able to bring Apple Computer Inc., which he started with Steve Wozniak, to the summit as a world leader in telecommunications. The man behind Apple died on October 5, 2011, but his legacy continues to live on in the era of technology. 

“Being male is a matter of birth. Being a man is a matter of age. But being a gentleman is a matter of choice.”

–Vin Diesel
Gentleman-quotes 11

Vin Diesel is best known for playing the part of Dominic Torreto in the action-crime-thriller Fast and Furious franchise. He was also the voice behind the treelike superhero, Groot, in the Guardians of the Galaxy series and the Avengers: Infinity War. Mark Sinclair, born on July 18, 1967, was able to establish his name in the film industry with his charismatic acting and appealing screen presence.

“Courtesy is as much a mark of a gentleman as courage.”

–Theodore Roosevelt
Gentleman-quotes 12

The 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, was born on October 27, 1858. His well-recognized achievements are political in nature including the expansion of the powers of the presidency, the federal government, and the American foreign policy. During his career as a public servant, he also broke up monopolies, mediated an end to the Russo-Japanese War, and initiated the building of the Panama Canal. Teddy Roosevelt or TR, as he was also called, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for the aforementioned achievements in his career.

“I am the master of my fate. I am the master of my soul.”

–William Ernest Henley
Gentleman-quotes 13

The British poet, writer, critic, and editor was born on August 23, 1849. He was best remembered for his poem Invictus, a Latin word that translates to unconquerable or undefeated. Invictus was a literary piece that Henley wrote while he was battling Pott’s disease also known as Tuberculosis of the bone. This poem was about facing death and holding a man’s dignity upright up to his last breath, perfectly reflecting his sentiments during this hardship.

“Our attitude towards life determines life’s attitude towards us.”

–John N. Mitchell
Gentleman-quotes 14

Born on September 15, 1913, John N. Mitchell was a specialist in state and municipal bonds in a notable New York law firm. Through this company, he got acquainted with presidential candidate Richard Nixon. Eventually, Mitchell became an attorney general of the United States during Nixon’s administration. While he was able to perform most of his duties, he was found guilty of involvement in the Watergate scandals which led to his career going downhill.

“The most important things in life are the connections you make with others.”

–Tom Ford
Gentleman-quotes 15

Born Thomas Carlyle Ford on August 27, 1961, Tom Ford went on to become a celebrated American fashion designer and filmmaker. He was able to bring the Italian luxury fashion house, Gucci, to the peak of the fashion industry before moving on to establishing a company under his name. Ford also achieved milestones in his career as a filmmaker with his work on the movies, A Single Man and Nocturnal Animals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gentleman Quotes

What is a gentleman quote?

A gentleman quote is a saying, a passage from an anecdote, or words of wisdom from famous men and personalities that can help strengthen the foundation of this lifestyle. Gentleman quotes can be applied to life in general or even to particular aspects such as personal, family, or work.

There is no single quote that applies to all the gentlemen out there. But, the message that each quote generally tries to convey is for you to take responsibility for your actions and to find your place in society.

What are gentleman qualities?

There’s a laundry list of qualities that a modern gentleman must possess to be called as such. Being positive, generous, hardworking, confident, and well-mannered are among these. He must also be a lifelong learner and an effective communicator to impart wisdom to society and the world. Most importantly, a gentleman must have integrity even if there’s no one to witness it. 

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A Final Word From The Trending Man

Gentleman quotes may not be applicable to everybody, but it wouldn’t hurt to pick one and refer to it from time to time. The overall perception of the gentleman in a society can be pressuring. However, as long as you are living your life truthfully and without harming others, you shouldn’t have a problem with that perception.

Living the life of a gentleman requires you to continuously and intentionally become a functional member of the society who does his part without being told to do so. The gentleman quotes may not explicitly convey the message that the quoted men wanted to spread to the world. Now, it is your duty to make your own interpretation of those and hopefully translate them well through your actions and thoughts. 

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