--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When a chivalrous man makes an oath, he…" description: "\"When a chivalrous man makes an oath, he is faithful to it, and when he attains power, he spares his enemy.\" — Muhammad Ali" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76c/muhammad-ali-386_chivalrous_when-a-chivalrous-man-makes-an-oath-he-i_237643.jpg" --- # When a chivalrous man makes an oath, he is faithful to it… ![“When a chivalrous man makes an oath, he is faithful to it, and when he attains power, he spares his enemy.” quote by Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76c/muhammad-ali-386_chivalrous_when-a-chivalrous-man-makes-an-oath-he-i_237643.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76c/muhammad-ali-386_chivalrous_when-a-chivalrous-man-makes-an-oath-he-i_237643.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76c/muhammad-ali-386_chivalrous_when-a-chivalrous-man-makes-an-oath-he-i_237643.jpg) > “When a chivalrous man makes an oath, he is faithful to it, and when he attains power, he spares his enemy.” [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A chivalrous person keeps promises and shows mercy to enemies once in power. **In simple terms:** Honor and mercy define true strength. Key Takeaway Uphold promises and practice mercy. Themes ethics leadership chivalry Mood inspirational reflective Type ethical historical When to use this quote - political leadership - military command - community service - conflict resolution - personal relationships Key Concepts integrity humility power dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How can leaders stay true to promises? - When is mercy appropriate toward adversaries? A Different Perspective Power can corrupt, making mercy difficult. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chivalrous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chivalrous/) [Chivalrous Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chivalrous-man-861754/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Faithful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faithful/) [Makes Oath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/makes-oath-2391261/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Oath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oath/) [Oath Faithful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oath-faithful-2391262/) [Spares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spares/) ## Related quotes > [The chivalrous man who holds a door open or signals a woman to go ahead of him when he's driving is negotiating both status…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/the-chivalrous-man-who-holds-a-door-open-or-signals-a-woman-to-go/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) > [Near the end of his life, my father proved to be, at his core, a very polite, chivalrous man. He walked the halls of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-l-knox/near-the-end-of-his-life-my-father-proved-to-be-at-his-core-a-very/) [Jennifer L. Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-l-knox/) > [Let no one who has the slightest desire to live in peace and quietness be tempted, under any circumstances, to enter upon the chivalrous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-thoms/let-no-one-who-has-the-slightest-desire-to-live-in-peace-and/) [William Thoms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-thoms/) > [“Mordecai allowed a smile to play across his face. “I have little doubt this ploy will try your patience. You must present Sir Percival…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/mordecai-allowed-a-smile-to-play-across-his-face-i-have-little-doubt/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [I've done all these historical epics and chivalrous roles, but there's an odder, quirkier side to me that nobody knows about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orlando-bloom/i-ve-done-all-these-historical-epics-and-chivalrous-roles-but-there-s/) [Orlando Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orlando-bloom/) > [“Sad but true that nothing puts a woman in her place more effectively than a chivalrous gesture performed in a certain manner.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-barker/sad-but-true-that-nothing-puts-a-woman-in-her-place-more-effectively/) [Pat Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-barker/) > [“What a loss it would be if feminism killed chivalry.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-rachelle/what-a-loss-it-would-be-if-feminism-killed-chivalry/) [Joyce Rachelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-rachelle/) > [“After all of this you're still 'Rayhan the Chivalrous', full of hope and optimism?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-carlton/after-all-of-this-you-re-still-rayhan-the-chivalrous-full-of-hope-and/) [Elizabeth Carlton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-carlton/) > [“I know you can take care of yourself," he said, with absolute certainty. His vivid eyes probed hers. With the same underlying resolve, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-n-blount/i-know-you-can-take-care-of-yourself-he-said-with-absolute-certainty/) [Angela N. Blount](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-n-blount/) > [You cannot have a proud and chivalrous spirit if your conduct is mean and paltry; for whatever a man's actions are, such must be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demosthenes/you-cannot-have-a-proud-and-chivalrous-spirit-if-your-conduct-is-mean/) [Demosthenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demosthenes/) > [“All—all right," she said, looking dubiously at the chair. "I—um, I need to change, though." "I'll just wait in the hall." He straightened his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-quinn/all-all-right-she-said-looking-dubiously-at-the-chair-i-um-i-need-to/) [Julia Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-quinn/) > [“It was chivalrous because she was too remote for real companionship, so that there was always a kind of chance in one's offering; perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/it-was-chivalrous-because-she-was-too-remote-for-real-companionship/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [“Respect our strength.” “I do.” His hair fell in his eyes, and he tried to blow it away. “Being chivalrous is respectful. Women have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainbow-rowell/respect-our-strength-i-do-his-hair-fell-in-his-eyes-and-he-tried-to/) [Rainbow Rowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainbow-rowell/) > [“What are some of the things a modern-day knight can do to render service? A chivalrous person will exhibit thoughtful consideration to most everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/what-are-some-of-the-things-a-modern-day-knight-can-do-to-render/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [As for this young Ali, one cannot but like him. A noble-minded creature, as he shows himself, now and always afterwards; full of affection,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/as-for-this-young-ali-one-cannot-but-like-him-a-noble-minded-creature/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) ## More by Muhammad Ali > [There are more pleasant things to do than beat up people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/there-are-more-pleasant-things-to-do-than-beat-up-people/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [There ain't no such thing as black Muslims. That's how they tried to cut off all my brothers in the rest of the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/there-ain-t-no-such-thing-as-black-muslims-that-s-how-they-tried-to/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [I've never let anyone talk me into not believing in myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-ve-never-let-anyone-talk-me-into-not-believing-in-myself/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [I'm too fast. I'm too smart. I'm too pretty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-m-too-fast-i-m-too-smart-i-m-too-pretty/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [I don't count my sit-ups. I only start counting when it starts hurting. That is when I start counting, because then it really counts.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-don-t-count-my-sit-ups-i-only-start-counting-when-it-starts-hurting/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [I said a lot of things in the heat of the moment that I shouldn't have said. Called him names I shouldn't have called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-said-a-lot-of-things-in-the-heat-of-the-moment-that-i-shouldn-t/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [Many people are quick to say that we are not recognized by Muslims in the East . And I start with the Honorable Elijah…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/many-people-are-quick-to-say-that-we-are-not-recognized-by-muslims-in/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [I have been so great in boxing they had to create an image like Rocky, a white image on the screen, to counteract my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-have-been-so-great-in-boxing-they-had-to-create-an-image-like-rocky/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [Money and riches don't mean nothing to me. I don't care nothing about being no rich individual. I'm not living for glory or for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/money-and-riches-don-t-mean-nothing-to-me-i-don-t-care-nothing-about/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [Allah is the Greatest. I'm just the greatest boxer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/allah-is-the-greatest-i-m-just-the-greatest-boxer/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [My wealth is in my knowledge of self, love, and spirituality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/my-wealth-is-in-my-knowledge-of-self-love-and-spirituality/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [We followed the Honorable Elijah Mohammed, who is the boss. And we don't waste a lot of time arguin' about a dead black man,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/we-followed-the-honorable-elijah-mohammed-who-is-the-boss-and-we-don/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [I'm gonna have to be killed before I lose, and I ain't going to die easy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-m-gonna-have-to-be-killed-before-i-lose-and-i-ain-t-going-to-die/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [If some black man go out and start something, a riot or something or, I'm not going to jump in it and get killed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/if-some-black-man-go-out-and-start-something-a-riot-or-something-or-i/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [If you want to be equal with me, you can get your own Rolls-Royce, your own house and your own million dollars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/if-you-want-to-be-equal-with-me-you-can-get-your-own-rolls-royce-your/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) [Explore all 609 Muhammad Ali quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) ## More Chivalrous quotes > [You cannot have a proud and chivalrous spirit if your conduct is mean and paltry; for whatever a man's actions are, such must be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demosthenes/you-cannot-have-a-proud-and-chivalrous-spirit-if-your-conduct-is-mean/) [Demosthenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demosthenes/) > [Let no one who has the slightest desire to live in peace and quietness be tempted, under any circumstances, to enter upon the chivalrous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-thoms/let-no-one-who-has-the-slightest-desire-to-live-in-peace-and/) [William Thoms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-thoms/) > [“What are some of the things a modern-day knight can do to render service? A chivalrous person will exhibit thoughtful consideration to most everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/what-are-some-of-the-things-a-modern-day-knight-can-do-to-render/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“Respect our strength.” “I do.” His hair fell in his eyes, and he tried to blow it away. “Being chivalrous is respectful. Women have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainbow-rowell/respect-our-strength-i-do-his-hair-fell-in-his-eyes-and-he-tried-to/) [Rainbow Rowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainbow-rowell/) > [“It was chivalrous because she was too remote for real companionship, so that there was always a kind of chance in one's offering; perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/it-was-chivalrous-because-she-was-too-remote-for-real-companionship/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [“All—all right," she said, looking dubiously at the chair. "I—um, I need to change, though." "I'll just wait in the hall." He straightened his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-quinn/all-all-right-she-said-looking-dubiously-at-the-chair-i-um-i-need-to/) [Julia Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-quinn/) > [As for this young Ali, one cannot but like him. A noble-minded creature, as he shows himself, now and always afterwards; full of affection,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/as-for-this-young-ali-one-cannot-but-like-him-a-noble-minded-creature/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [“I know you can take care of yourself," he said, with absolute certainty. His vivid eyes probed hers. With the same underlying resolve, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-n-blount/i-know-you-can-take-care-of-yourself-he-said-with-absolute-certainty/) [Angela N. Blount](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-n-blount/) > [“After all of this you're still 'Rayhan the Chivalrous', full of hope and optimism?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-carlton/after-all-of-this-you-re-still-rayhan-the-chivalrous-full-of-hope-and/) [Elizabeth Carlton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-carlton/) > [“What a loss it would be if feminism killed chivalry.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-rachelle/what-a-loss-it-would-be-if-feminism-killed-chivalry/) [Joyce Rachelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-rachelle/) > [“Sad but true that nothing puts a woman in her place more effectively than a chivalrous gesture performed in a certain manner.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-barker/sad-but-true-that-nothing-puts-a-woman-in-her-place-more-effectively/) [Pat Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-barker/) > [I've done all these historical epics and chivalrous roles, but there's an odder, quirkier side to me that nobody knows about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orlando-bloom/i-ve-done-all-these-historical-epics-and-chivalrous-roles-but-there-s/) [Orlando Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orlando-bloom/) > [“Mordecai allowed a smile to play across his face. “I have little doubt this ploy will try your patience. You must present Sir Percival…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/mordecai-allowed-a-smile-to-play-across-his-face-i-have-little-doubt/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [We live in a decaying society of morality, which bugs me on a daily basis. I consider myself one of the last chivalrous white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-buffer/we-live-in-a-decaying-society-of-morality-which-bugs-me-on-a-daily/) [Bruce Buffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-buffer/) > [Many heroic exploits and chivalrous adventures are related to me which exist only in the regions of fancy. With me the world has taken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-boone/many-heroic-exploits-and-chivalrous-adventures-are-related-to-me/) [Daniel Boone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-boone/) [Browse all 34 Chivalrous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chivalrous/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When a chivalrous man makes an oath, he is faithful to it, and when he attains power, he spares his enemy.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Muhammad Ali" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/when-a-chivalrous-man-makes-an-oath-he-is-faithful-to-it-and-when-he/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Chivalrous" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/when-a-chivalrous-man-makes-an-oath-he-is-faithful-to-it-and-when-he/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76c/muhammad-ali-386_chivalrous_when-a-chivalrous-man-makes-an-oath-he-i_237643.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76c/muhammad-ali-386_chivalrous_when-a-chivalrous-man-makes-an-oath-he-i_237643.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76c/muhammad-ali-386_chivalrous_when-a-chivalrous-man-makes-an-oath-he-i_237643.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When a chivalrous man makes an oath, he is faithful to it, and when he attains power, he spares his enemy.” — Muhammad Ali", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Muhammad Ali", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When a chivalrous man makes an...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/when-a-chivalrous-man-makes-an-oath-he-is-faithful-to-it-and-when-he/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/when-a-chivalrous-man-makes-an-oath-he-is-faithful-to-it-and-when-he/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```