--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Strong men can always afford to be…" description: "\"Strong men can always afford to be gentle. Only the weak are intent on giving as good as they get.\" — Elbert Hubbard" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc0/elbert-hubbard-510_being-strong_strong-men-can-always-afford-to-be-gentl_1837867.png" --- # Strong men can always afford to be gentle. Only the weak… ![“Strong men can always afford to be gentle. Only the weak are intent on giving as good as they get.” quote by Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc0/elbert-hubbard-510_being-strong_strong-men-can-always-afford-to-be-gentl_1837867.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc0/elbert-hubbard-510_being-strong_strong-men-can-always-afford-to-be-gentl_1837867.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc0/elbert-hubbard-510_being-strong_strong-men-can-always-afford-to-be-gentl_1837867.png) > “Strong men can always afford to be gentle. Only the weak are intent on giving as good as they get.” [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Strength includes the capacity for gentleness; weakness seeks dominance. **In simple terms:** Strong people can be gentle; weak people fight. Key Takeaway Cultivate strength through kindness. Themes strength gentleness power dynamics Mood inspirational reflective Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - leadership training - parenting - conflict resolution - team building Key Concepts masculinity emotional intelligence ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can you demonstrate gentleness without losing authority? - When does assertiveness become aggression? A Different Perspective Gentleness may be misread as lack of resolve. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afford Gentle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afford-gentle-2326703/) [Being strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-strong/) [Gentle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentle/) [Gentle Weak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentle-weak-2326701/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men Afford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-afford-2326702/) [Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength/) [Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong/) [Strong man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong-man/) [Strong men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong-men/) [Weak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weak/) ## Related quotes > [Few men can afford to be angry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-birrell/few-men-can-afford-to-be-angry/) [Augustine Birrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-birrell/) > [A man is born gentle and weak. At death, he is hard and stiff. Green plants are tender and filled with sap. At death,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/a-man-is-born-gentle-and-weak-at-death-he-is-hard-and-stiff-green/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“Our worries always come from our weaknesses...Strong people can always afford to be gentle, only the weak are intent on "GIVING UP AND FIGHTING…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napz-cherub-pellazo/our-worries-always-come-from-our-weaknesses-strong-people-can-always-2/) [Napz Cherub Pellazo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napz-cherub-pellazo/) > [A man is born gentle and weak. At death he is hard and stiff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/a-man-is-born-gentle-and-weak-at-death-he-is-hard-and-stiff/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“Our worries always come from our weaknesses...Strong people can always afford to be gentle, only the weak are intent on "GIVING UP AND FIGHTING…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napz-cherub-pellazo/our-worries-always-come-from-our-weaknesses-strong-people-can-always/) [Napz Cherub Pellazo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napz-cherub-pellazo/) > [“What if each child was taught from the cradle to sing the song of peace...would the cynics not call it foolish, saying that to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joann-davis/what-if-each-child-was-taught-from-the-cradle-to-sing-the-song-of/) [Joann Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joann-davis/) > [Without Messi there isn't a team for Argentina, Messi is brilliant, different, with a strong mentality. Let's hope he doesn't change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva/without-messi-there-isn-t-a-team-for-argentina-messi-is-brilliant/) [Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva/) > [Strong men have sound ideas and the force to make these ideas effective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mellon/strong-men-have-sound-ideas-and-the-force-to-make-these-ideas/) [Andrew Mellon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mellon/) > [Sympathy can be addictive and can kill strong men as surely as a diet of nothing but sugar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/sympathy-can-be-addictive-and-can-kill-strong-men-as-surely-as-a-diet/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [Women of this planet need some essential resources: wells, seeds and roads. That is primarily all we have ever needed. 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I think it's important to show that even under all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvester-stallone/a-lot-of-guys-have-muscles-a-lot-of-strong-men-in-this-world-i-think/) [Sylvester Stallone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvester-stallone/) > [Other men puffed, snorted, and splashed. George passed through the ocean with the silent dignity of a torpedo. Other men swallowed water, here a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/other-men-puffed-snorted-and-splashed-george-passed-through-the-ocean/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Strong men don't compromise, it is said, and principles should never be compromised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-carnegie/strong-men-don-t-compromise-it-is-said-and-principles-should-never-be/) [Andrew Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-carnegie/) ## More by Elbert Hubbard > [The teacher is one who makes two ideas grow where only one grew before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/the-teacher-is-one-who-makes-two-ideas-grow-where-only-one-grew-before/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [The highest reward that God gives us for good work is the ability to do better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/the-highest-reward-that-god-gives-us-for-good-work-is-the-ability-to/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [Art is nothing; it's a way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/art-is-nothing-it-s-a-way/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [Library: A place where the dead lie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/library-a-place-where-the-dead-lie/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [“If we cannot be happy and powerful and prey on others, we invent conscience and prey on ourselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/if-we-cannot-be-happy-and-powerful-and-prey-on-others-we-invent/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [The poor and ignorant will continue to lie and steal as long as the rich and educated show them how.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/the-poor-and-ignorant-will-continue-to-lie-and-steal-as-long-as-the/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [So long as governments set the example of killing their enemies, private individuals will occasionally kill theirs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/so-long-as-governments-set-the-example-of-killing-their-enemies/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [If I supply you with a thought, you may remember it and you may not. But if I can make you think a thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/if-i-supply-you-with-a-thought-you-may-remember-it-and-you-may-not/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 A conservative is a man who is too cowardly to fight and too fat to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/1-2-3-4-5-a-conservative-is-a-man-who-is-too-cowardly-to-fight-and/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [The great man is not so great as folks think, and the dull man is not quite so stupid as he seems. The difference…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/the-great-man-is-not-so-great-as-folks-think-and-the-dull-man-is-not/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [Every knock is a boost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/every-knock-is-a-boost/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [What boy well raised can compare with your street gamin who has the knowledge and the shrewdness of a grown-up broker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/what-boy-well-raised-can-compare-with-your-street-gamin-who-has-the/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [Don't make excuses, make good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/don-t-make-excuses-make-good/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [What people need and what they want may be very different… Teachers are those who educate the people to appreciate the things they need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/what-people-need-and-what-they-want-may-be-very-different-teachers/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [Men who sit back and pride themselves on their culture haven't any to speak of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/men-who-sit-back-and-pride-themselves-on-their-culture-haven-t-any-to/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) [Explore all 506 Elbert Hubbard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) ## More Being strong quotes > [Treat me like a king and ill treat y0u like my queen.. but if y0u treat me like a game.. then ill show y0u…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megz/treat-me-like-a-king-and-ill-treat-y0u-like-my-queen-but-if-y0u-treat/) [Megz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megz/) > [No One Can Ruin Your Day Without YOUR Permission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-one-can-ruin-your-day-without-your-permission/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You never know how strong you are untill you got no choice to show it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teady/you-never-know-how-strong-you-are-untill-you-got-no-choice-to-show-it/) [$Teady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teady/) > [Life can beat you down like no one. But it is what you make of it while you're down, going through those trials and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/london-mond/life-can-beat-you-down-like-no-one-but-it-is-what-you-make-of-it/) [London Mond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/london-mond/) > [Whatever life gives you, even if it hurts you, just be strong and act like you're okay. Remember: strong walls shake but never collapse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-ultimate/whatever-life-gives-you-even-if-it-hurts-you-just-be-strong-and-act/) [The Ultimate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-ultimate/) > [Whatever life throws at you even if it hurts you just be strong and fight through it.remember strong walls shakes but never collapse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/whatever-life-throws-at-you-even-if-it-hurts-you-just-be-strong-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Youre too beautiful to hold on to any resentment, bitterness & anger. Forgive yourself & Let it go!!! Be strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricardo-housham/youre-too-beautiful-to-hold-on-to-any-resentment-bitterness-anger/) [Ricardo Housham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricardo-housham/) > [Nothing has power over you unless you allow it. No matter what happens, you can choose what and how to think, act, and speak!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/nothing-has-power-over-you-unless-you-allow-it-no-matter-what-happens/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When I know things are not for me, I learn to let go. It doesn't mean I'm weak but I'm just showing how strong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-i-know-things-are-not-for-me-i-learn-to-let-go-it-doesn-t-mean-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sometimes we find ourselves stumbling over obstacles we face today but always see the big picture and keep moving forward. Have faith - someday…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-krause/sometimes-we-find-ourselves-stumbling-over-obstacles-we-face-today/) [Tom Krause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-krause/) > [I can try](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade/i-can-try/) [Jade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade/) > [Challenge Yourself With Something You Know You Could Never Do, And What You'll Find Is That You Can Overcome Anything. By Attempting Something Really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/challenge-yourself-with-something-you-know-you-could-never-do-and/) [Pacifiersucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pacifiersucker/) > [Great crises produce great men, and great deeds of courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/great-crises-produce-great-men-and-great-deeds-of-courage/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [When someone gives you a nickname, it means your special to that person. -Reader's Digest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yanie-myprecious/when-someone-gives-you-a-nickname-it-means-your-special-to-that/) [YANIE-MyPrecious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yanie-myprecious/) > [Be calm, be strong, be grateful, and become a lamp full of light, that the darkness of sorrows be annihilated, and that the sun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdu-l-bah/be-calm-be-strong-be-grateful-and-become-a-lamp-full-of-light-that/) [Abdu'l-Bahá](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abdu-l-bah/) [Browse all 1,556 Being strong quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-strong/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Strong men can always afford to be gentle. 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