Gentleman Quote by Leo Tolstoy
““Papa was a gentleman of the last century, with all the chivalrous character, self-reliance, and gallantry of the youth of that time. Upon the men of the present day he looked with a contempt arising partly from inborn pride and partly from a secret feeling of vexation that, in this age of ours, he could no longer enjoy the influence and success which had been his in his youth. His two principal failings were gambling and gallantry, and he had won or lost, in the course of his career, several millions of roubles.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy, 1877
A nostalgic man laments modern men, seeing them as lacking the chivalry and self‑reliance of his youth, while acknowledging his own flaws of gambling and bravado.
In simple terms: He misses old‑time honor and feels modern men are less noble.
Key Takeaway
Recognize both past virtues and personal flaws.
Themes
nostalgia
honor
generational conflict
personal flaw
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- reflecting on family values
- discussing generational change
- examining personal vices
- teaching history
- analyzing social norms
Key Concepts
chivalry
self‑reliance
pride
gambling
gallantry
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance respect for tradition with embracing change?
- What personal vices might we overlook in ourselves?
A Different Perspective
His idealization may overlook the progress and equality gained in modern times.
![“I failed, I think, seven [or] eight times before I finally got my first [championship]. It was just, you know, just about me growing up. Now that I'm an old, old veteran-age 29-I do things a lot differently. I don't go to the gentlemen's clubs anymore. I had to slow that down.” quote by Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/08f/shaquille-o-neal-659_age_i-failed-i-think-seven-or-eight-times-be_2731.jpg)
