What is a Proper Gentleman?

gentleman in a suit

In my most humble of opinions, a proper gentleman encompasses several key qualities.

The qualities and core values I believe encompass what a proper gentleman's essence is can be summed up with Bushido, the way of the warrior - I know, warrior and gentleman don't seem to go together but hear me out - and Objectivist Ethics by Ayn Rand. Lastly, these two lifestyles matchup well together, but also with the seven cardinal virtues.

Let's first look at a breakdown of Ayn Rand's Objectivist Ethics:

In Objectivism, the core virtues are essential principles that guide ethical behavior and decision-making. Here are the primary virtues:

• Rationality: The commitment to reason as one’s only source of knowledge and guide to action. This involves being honest, logical, and objective in all aspects of life.

• Productiveness: The dedication to creating value through one’s work and efforts. This virtue emphasizes the importance of purposeful and productive activity as a means of achieving one’s goals and sustaining one’s life.

• Pride: The moral ambitiousness to achieve one’s own happiness and self-esteem. Pride involves taking responsibility for one’s actions and striving for personal excellence.

• Independence: The virtue of relying on one’s own judgment and abilities. This means thinking and acting autonomously, without undue influence from others.

• Integrity: The practice of acting consistently with one’s principles and values. Integrity involves being true to oneself and maintaining moral principles even in the face of challenges.

• Honesty: The refusal to fake reality or deceive oneself or others. Honesty involves recognizing and accepting the facts of reality, no matter how difficult.

• Justice: The principle of treating people as they deserve, based on their actions and character. Justice involves recognizing and rewarding merit and condemning wrongdoing.

  
  

These virtues collectively support the Objectivist goal of achieving one’s own happiness and living a fulfilling, rational life.

Objectivist ethics advocates for a life guided by rational principles, where one’s actions are aligned with objective reality and aimed at achieving personal happiness and fulfillment.

Rational

• Rational Self-Interest: Objectivist ethics, as proposed by Ayn Rand, is based on the principle of rational self-interest. This means that individuals should act in accordance with their rational judgment to achieve their own happiness and well-being.

• Reason as the Primary Tool: Rationality involves using reason as the primary tool for understanding the world and making decisions. It rejects whims, emotions, or mystical beliefs as valid bases for action.

• Objective Reality: Rational actions are those that align with the facts of reality and the nature of human existence. This includes recognizing and respecting the rights of others.

Irrational

• Whims and Desires: Actions based on whims, desires, or emotions without rational consideration are deemed irrational. These actions do not consider the long-term consequences or the factual reality of the situation.

• Mysticism and Subjectivism: Objectivism rejects any form of mysticism or subjectivism, where actions are guided by supernatural beliefs or subjective feelings rather than objective reality.

• Self-Destructive Behavior: Irrational actions often lead to self-destructive outcomes, as they are not grounded in reality or reason. This includes sacrificing one’s own interests for the sake of others without rational justification.

If you look at the Bushido spirit, or “the way of the warrior” the ethical similarities are astounding:

Bushido, which translates to "the way of the warrior," is a moral code that guided the samurai in feudal Japan. Here are its core tenets:

• Honor: Upholding integrity and ethical behavior.

• Loyalty: Devotion to one's lord or cause.

• Courage: Fearlessness in the face of adversity.

• Rectitude: Adhering to moral principles and justice.

• Calmness: Maintaining composure under pressure.

• Justice: Fairness and impartiality.

• Fairness: Treating others equitably.

• Politeness: Respecting others with courtesy.

I believe a proper gentleman lives by objectivist standards and Bushido, thinking rationally, acting with courage and calmness, being fair and honest, speaking less, and letting his achievements speak for themselves.

Pride is all a man has, and it fuels his self-esteem. This can only come from actions, actions that were made from rational choices that the gentleman decided on.

I believe this code to be the basis for a lifestyle of the proper gentleman, along with hygiene, how he dresses, eats, cleans his home, talks and interacts with others, and more. A proper gentleman gets things done, is one time, is highly regarded, and respects himself.

I plan to share my journey as sort of a diary or journal, being accountable and discussing how employing these codes into my life helps me change for the better.