--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A gentleman, is a rarer thing than some…" description: "\"A gentleman, is a rarer thing than some of us think for. Which of us can point out many such in his circle--men whose aims are generous, whose truth is..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/582/william-makepeace-thackeray-74_aim_a-gentleman-is-a-rarer-thing-than-some-o_198939.jpg" --- # A gentleman, is a rarer thing than some of us think for… ![“A gentleman, is a rarer thing than some of us think for. Which of us can point out many such in his circle--men whose aims are generous, whose truth is constant and elevated; who can look the world honestly in the face, with an equal manly sympathy for the great and the small? We all know a…” quote by William Makepeace Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/582/william-makepeace-thackeray-74_aim_a-gentleman-is-a-rarer-thing-than-some-o_198939.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/582/william-makepeace-thackeray-74_aim_a-gentleman-is-a-rarer-thing-than-some-o_198939.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/582/william-makepeace-thackeray-74_aim_a-gentleman-is-a-rarer-thing-than-some-o_198939.jpg) > “A gentleman, is a rarer thing than some of us think for. Which of us can point out many such in his circle--men whose aims are generous, whose truth is constant and elevated; who can look the world honestly in the face, with an equal manly sympathy for the great and the small? We all know a hundred whose coats are well made, and a score who have excellent manners; but of gentlemen how many? Let us take a little scrap of paper, and each make out his list.” [William Makepeace Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-makepeace-thackeray/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A true gentleman possesses generosity, honesty, and empathy toward all, far rarer than mere good manners. **In simple terms:** Gentlemen are rare, honest, generous, empathetic. Key Takeaway Cultivate genuine character over superficial polish. Themes integrity generosity empathy authenticity Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - personal relationships - leadership - community building - mentoring - networking Key Concepts moral philosophy social virtue Questions to Reflect On - How can you identify genuine virtue in others? - What steps can you take to embody these traits? A Different Perspective Ideal behavior may be hard to model in a self‑interested world. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Circles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circles/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Generous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generous/) [Gentleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleman/) [Gentlemen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentlemen/) [Manly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manly/) [Manners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manners/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [A man is seldom more manly than when he is what you call unmanned,--the source of his emotion is championship, pity, and courage; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-makepeace-thackeray/a-man-is-seldom-more-manly-than-when-he-is-what-you-call-unmanned-the/) [William Makepeace Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-makepeace-thackeray/) > [Every man ought to be in love a few times in his life, and to have a smart attack of the fever. 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