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THE TRUE GENTLEMAN
is the man
whose conduct proceeds from goodwill
and an acute sense of propriety
and whose self-control is equal to all emergencies;
who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty,
the obscure man of his obscurity,
or any man of his inferiority or deformity;
who is himself humble if necessity compels him to humble another;
who does not flatter wealth,
cringe before power,
or boast of his own possessions or achievements;
who speaks with frankness but always with sincerity and sympathy;
whose deed follows his word;
who thinks of the rights and feelings of others rather than his own;
and who appears well in any company;
a man with whom honor is sacred and virtue safe.
-John Walter Wayland
(Virginia 1899)
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What the True Gentleman means to an SAE
The "True
Gentleman" reflects a major part of the substance of the
ritual of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Pledges memorize it and
are asked to recite it. Awards are given to brothers who
best exemplify it. Why do we regard it so highly?
Every organization is strengthened by tangible forms of
ritual. Athletic teams have mascots; churches have
written rituals, commercial enterprises have slogans,
and countless organizations of individuals, who have
chosen to belong for any variety of reasons, have
statements of philosophy that define and express their
beliefs. Not only does the "True Gentleman" remind each
brother and pledge of his fraternity code of behavior,
it also serves that same function for non-members.
And since it is something that every member and pledge
of Sigma Alpha Epsilon have in common, it helps bond us,
providing part of the glue that holds us together.
After all, gentlemanliness is the starting point and
indispensable quality of lasting friendships.
Written
By past E.S.R. G. Robert Hamrdla |
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