--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Gentlemen can now only behave as such, or…" description: "\"Gentlemen can now only behave as such, or be tolerated as such, in circumstances that are manifestly contrived or unreal.\" — Simon Raven" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea7/simon-raven-35235_behave_gentlemen-can-now-only-behave-as-such-or_2090327.png" --- # Gentlemen can now only behave as such, or be tolerated as… ![“Gentlemen can now only behave as such, or be tolerated as such, in circumstances that are manifestly contrived or unreal.” quote by Simon Raven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea7/simon-raven-35235_behave_gentlemen-can-now-only-behave-as-such-or_2090327.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea7/simon-raven-35235_behave_gentlemen-can-now-only-behave-as-such-or_2090327.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea7/simon-raven-35235_behave_gentlemen-can-now-only-behave-as-such-or_2090327.png) > “Gentlemen can now only behave as such, or be tolerated as such, in circumstances that are manifestly contrived or unreal.” [Simon Raven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-raven/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The statement suggests that men must either act authentically or be accepted only in artificial, contrived situations. **In simple terms:** Men must be genuine or only tolerated in fake settings. Key Takeaway Strive for authenticity in behavior. Themes gender roles authenticity social expectations Mood analytical thoughtful Type philosophical social When to use this quote - workplace dynamics - social gatherings - media representation Key Concepts masculinity performance theory Questions to Reflect On - What defines authentic behavior for you? - How do societal norms shape gender performance? A Different Perspective Rigid expectations can limit personal freedom. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Behave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behave/) [Behave Tolerated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behave-tolerated-4128013/) [Circumstances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circumstances/) [Circumstances Manifestly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circumstances-manifestly-4128012/) [Gentleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleman/) [Gentlemen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentlemen/) [Gentlemen Behave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentlemen-behave-4128010/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Tolerated Circumstances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tolerated-circumstances-4128011/) [Unreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unreal/) ## Related quotes > [“I assume 'elegant gentlemen,' such as you, learn such useful skills very early in life." "Actually, no." Straight-faced, Vane reached for her pins. "Us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-laurens/i-assume-elegant-gentlemen-such-as-you-learn-such-useful-skills-very/) [Stephanie Laurens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-laurens/) > [Gentlemen and maidens in this general vicinity, how doth it go?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-killings/gentlemen-and-maidens-in-this-general-vicinity-how-doth-it-go/) [Ron Killings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-killings/) > [Being male is a matter of birth, being a man is a matter of age, but being a gentlemen is a matter of choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-male-is-a-matter-of-birth-being-a-man-is-a-matter-of-age-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Women, after all, gentlemen,' said the enthusiastic Mr. Snodgrass, 'are the great props and comforts of our existance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/women-after-all-gentlemen-said-the-enthusiastic-mr-snodgrass-are-the/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [Smile, but not for long, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Patriarchy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelly-kaplan/smile-but-not-for-long-ladies-and-gentlemen-of-the-patriarchy/) [Nelly Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelly-kaplan/) > [“Ladies and gentlemen, let us hear the demand of life and adhere to it. It would do us good”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/ladies-and-gentlemen-let-us-hear-the-demand-of-life-and-adhere-to-it/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [“And now gentlemen, all for one, one for all - that is our motto, is it not?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandre-dumas/and-now-gentlemen-all-for-one-one-for-all-that-is-our-motto-is-it-not/) [Alexandre Dumas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandre-dumas/) > [The Perfect Gentleman~~~\| ¢ Gives Her One of His T-Shirts to Sleep In, ¢ Give Her One of His Hobbies; To Wear so everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/the-perfect-gentleman-gives-her-one-of-his-t-shirts-to-sleep-in-give/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [Gentlemen prefer blondes, but take what they can get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-herold/gentlemen-prefer-blondes-but-take-what-they-can-get/) [Don Herold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-herold/) > [Books, gentlemen, are a species of men, and introduced to them you circulate in the "very best society" that this world can furnish, without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/books-gentlemen-are-a-species-of-men-and-introduced-to-them-you/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“If you have feelings for someone, let them know. It doesn’t matter if they can be in your life or not. Maybe, it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/if-you-have-feelings-for-someone-let-them-know-it-doesn-t-matter-if/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [“Never in England were there so many gentlemen and so little gentleness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-sansom/never-in-england-were-there-so-many-gentlemen-and-so-little-gentleness/) [C.J. Sansom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-sansom/) > [How sad it is that these great gentlemen should believe what anyone tells them and do not choose to judge for themselves! But it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/how-sad-it-is-that-these-great-gentlemen-should-believe-what-anyone/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [“A gentleman in those days consulted his heirs about tree planting. Should you plant a group of copper beeches against a group of white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ford-madox-ford/a-gentleman-in-those-days-consulted-his-heirs-about-tree-planting/) [Ford Madox Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ford-madox-ford/) > [The only B word a female should be called is BEAUTIFUL.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-b-word-a-female-should-be-called-is-beautiful/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Simon Raven > [I loved the Army as an institution and loathed every single thing it required me to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-raven/i-loved-the-army-as-an-institution-and-loathed-every-single-thing-it/) [Simon Raven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-raven/) > [Scholarship was one thing, drudgery another. I very soon concluded that nothing would induce me to read, let alone make notes on, hundreds and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-raven/scholarship-was-one-thing-drudgery-another-i-very-soon-concluded-that/) [Simon Raven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-raven/) > [I wanted to look at the upper-middle-class scene since the war, and in particular my generation's part in it. We had spent our early…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-raven/i-wanted-to-look-at-the-upper-middle-class-scene-since-the-war-and-in/) [Simon Raven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-raven/) > [And so, at the age of thirty, I had successively disgraced myself with three fine institutions, each of which had made me free of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-raven/and-so-at-the-age-of-thirty-i-had-successively-disgraced-myself-with/) [Simon Raven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-raven/) > [How can I go on with this? Please God, let me win a football pool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-raven/how-can-i-go-on-with-this-please-god-let-me-win-a-football-pool/) [Simon Raven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-raven/) > [Nobody minded what you did in bed or what you said about God, a very civilized attitude in 1948.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-raven/nobody-minded-what-you-did-in-bed-or-what-you-said-about-god-a-very/) [Simon Raven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-raven/) > [“In becoming the universe God abdicated. He destroyed himself as God. He turned what he had been, his true self, into nullity and thereby…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-raven/in-becoming-the-universe-god-abdicated-he-destroyed-himself-as-god-he/) [Simon Raven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-raven/) > [... life is short and the world is wide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-raven/life-is-short-and-the-world-is-wide/) [Simon Raven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-raven/) > [Art for art's sake, money for God's sake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-raven/art-for-art-s-sake-money-for-god-s-sake/) [Simon Raven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-raven/) > [Since life is short and the world is wide, the sooner you start exploring it, the better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-raven/since-life-is-short-and-the-world-is-wide-the-sooner-you-start/) [Simon Raven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-raven/) > [“Dusk is the time when men whisper of matters about which they remain silent in the full light of the sun.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-raven/dusk-is-the-time-when-men-whisper-of-matters-about-which-they-remain/) [Simon Raven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-raven/) > [Christ asked for everything he got.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-raven/christ-asked-for-everything-he-got/) [Simon Raven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-raven/) [Explore all 13 Simon Raven quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-raven/) ## More Behave quotes > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To behave creatively in art means behavior with skill; and skill comes from discipline, not derangement. The artist who knows the rules -and proportion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burne-hogarth/to-behave-creatively-in-art-means-behavior-with-skill-and-skill-comes/) [Burne Hogarth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burne-hogarth/) > [You can behave as badly as you like in America. Nobody notices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/you-can-behave-as-badly-as-you-like-in-america-nobody-notices/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [For war to man, like childbirth to women, is simplifying in its emotions and activities. All the real problems of life can be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/for-war-to-man-like-childbirth-to-women-is-simplifying-in-its/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) > [“Then Olympus it is. But do try to behave. I know it’s hard for you, but… (Delphine) I won’t piss on the floor. (Jericho)…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/then-olympus-it-is-but-do-try-to-behave-i-know-it-s-hard-for-you-but/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [The possibility of saying anything about a thing rests on the assumption that it preserves its identity, or continues to be the same thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-knight/the-possibility-of-saying-anything-about-a-thing-rests-on-the/) [Frank Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-knight/) > [Why does man behave like perfect idiot? This is the problem I wish to deal with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-szent-gyorgyi/why-does-man-behave-like-perfect-idiot-this-is-the-problem-i-wish-to/) [Albert Szent-Gyorgyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-szent-gyorgyi/) > [This is a time in my life where I'm gonna behave like an elegant human being. Or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-stritch/this-is-a-time-in-my-life-where-i-m-gonna-behave-like-an-elegant/) [Elaine Stritch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-stritch/) > [Most people, even in simple risky situations, don't behave the way the theory of utility would have them behave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-raiffa/most-people-even-in-simple-risky-situations-don-t-behave-the-way-the/) [Howard Raiffa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-raiffa/) > [As a club, we have an educational purpose: to give back to those people who love Arsenal so that they learn moral values from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arsene-wenger/as-a-club-we-have-an-educational-purpose-to-give-back-to-those-people/) [Arsene Wenger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arsene-wenger/) > [What astonishes many of us is not so much that human nature is fundamentally corrupt; we are astonished rather that it does not behave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morton-irving-seiden/what-astonishes-many-of-us-is-not-so-much-that-human-nature-is/) [Morton Irving Seiden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morton-irving-seiden/) > [Do we behave out of fear of punishment, or out of the demands of our heart? For me, it is the latter, as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-we-behave-out-of-fear-of-punishment-or-out-of-the-demands-of-our/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you are in hard labor, remember that the length of labor is usually proportional to the number of people around. Avoid the presence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-odent/when-you-are-in-hard-labor-remember-that-the-length-of-labor-is/) [Michel Odent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-odent/) > [The superpowers often behave like two heavily armed blind men feeling their way around a room, each believing himself in mortal peril from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-superpowers-often-behave-like-two-heavily-armed-blind-men-feeling/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For political and bureaucratic reasons, governments at all levels are telling far less to the public than to insiders about how to prepare for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barton-gellman/for-political-and-bureaucratic-reasons-governments-at-all-levels-are/) [Barton Gellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barton-gellman/) [Browse all 1,587 Behave quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behave/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Gentlemen can now only behave as such, or be tolerated as such, in circumstances that are manifestly contrived or unreal.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Simon Raven" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-raven/gentlemen-can-now-only-behave-as-such-or-be-tolerated-as-such-in/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Behave" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-raven/gentlemen-can-now-only-behave-as-such-or-be-tolerated-as-such-in/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea7/simon-raven-35235_behave_gentlemen-can-now-only-behave-as-such-or_2090327.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea7/simon-raven-35235_behave_gentlemen-can-now-only-behave-as-such-or_2090327.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea7/simon-raven-35235_behave_gentlemen-can-now-only-behave-as-such-or_2090327.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Gentlemen can now only behave as such, or be tolerated as such, in circumstances that are manifestly…” — Simon Raven", "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": "Simon Raven", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-raven/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Gentlemen can now only behave as...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-raven/gentlemen-can-now-only-behave-as-such-or-be-tolerated-as-such-in/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-raven/gentlemen-can-now-only-behave-as-such-or-be-tolerated-as-such-in/#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 } } ] } ```