Remembering the Reason
Alex Frey | 2/19/2004 Gentility: a defining actI compose this essay in response to a favored question. What is a true gentleman? Many men today think they have a good grasp as to what one is. They often slanderously abuse gentility; creating a misanthropic perspective on one of man’s finest instincts. The state of being a revered gentleman is one you cannot be born into, but one into which you are bred. The formalities of a gentleman may be refined to a point of absurdity; however the steadfast morals which fill his heart and the unwavering truth that is his soul allow him to apply temporal yet unmistakable traits of a gentleman wherever he may be.
Our spiritual founder of our fraternity, Robert E. Lee, was of a family that cherished the practice of leading an idealistic life; a loving family, a valued home and a respected career. All of which can create an archetypal place in any community. Here one’s person can be emulated to a point of false pride, ergo an ego. A person of “stature,” one established complete with credentials and financial success is by no means a man of gentility, but mere popular respect.
Unfortunately, America has come to hold money over manners. I sincerely doubt that this was the dream that so many: Patton, Lee, Marshall, and the brothers of Kappa Alpha have agreed to devote their life to. This sham that is the “American Dream” is not an idea born anew, but an ideal held true, now as well as then. Citizens of this nation desecrate the touchstones that set us apart from the rest of the world. This nation was founded under a light, a flicker of hope. A purity that has been burning as long as man has known love. A light that countless men have lived and died for. This light is seen through the facets of chivalry, courage, humbleness. These characteristics are the real defining manners of a man, a real man. However only when these are integrated into his daily life does he earn the nomenclature of a true gentleman.
So as today fades away, I trudge forward. Not laboriously, or with difficulty, but with a purpose. A purpose that is far from being recognized as a trust that is to be upheld by all of humanity. Yet, we who see and realize this are not alone, we are genuine. We are a species of men that are outside of the limelight because we choose to be. We do not long for a dream that others share, but a dream that we, ourselves, alone in our thoughts have dreamt of. Here I leave my words to resonate. I could continue on but I feel that I have answered this question to my fullest extent [on paper]. So hopefully my actions will concur with my thoughts, so that I too may exert myself to the fullest extent.
~ written October 14, 2003 |
