Chivalry was started as a code of conduct by the knights of the Middle Ages. It Is something that was passed down through the generations. There was more to it than just treating women a certain way. Let me share with you what the dictionary says for Chivalry. • The combination of qualities expected of an ideal knight, especially courage, honor, courtesy, justice, and a readiness to help the weak. • Courteous behavior, especially that of a man toward women: their relations with women were models of chivalry and restraint.
As you can see, acts of kindness are not reserved just to how one treats women. It is meant to be shown to everyone you come in contact with. We are suppose to be kind and helpful to those that cross our path. We are to show kindness and service when needed. I like that it says you are to be courageous and have honor. I feel that in this day in age we need honor, so many people lack it today. If you need help understanding what honor is, here is the definition from the dictionary that I am referring to. Adherence to what is right or to a conventional standard of conduct: I must as a matter of honor avoid any taint of dishonesty. Under a moral obligation: they are on their honor as gentlemen not to cheat.
It is also said that one is to have courage. Today, you must have courage in order to be chivalrous. So many are working against the good, that you have to have courage to do what is right. It’s easy to follow the crowd and do what everyone else is doing and fit in. But it takes courage to do what is right, and set yourself apart from everyone else. Even if you are alone and not doing the popular thing. At least you are doing the right thing, and will know that what you are doing is right.
Being a gentleman is the title of one who is chivalrous. It is a title for one who cares about others and shows it by how they treat others on multiple levels. It is not just merely and act that you put on for the people you are in public with. It is a code of conduct that you live by. It is expressed by the way you treat everyone, in both public and private, male and female, the old and the young, the rich and the poor. It’s more than just a facade or mask that you lie behind.
If you do an act of kindness and then follow it up with nasty or harsh remarks, you have just negated everything you just did. You also cannot do acts of kindness with the intent that you will get gain of something else in return. For example; just because you take a lovely lady out and show her a good time, and do all the respectful things for her during your evening. It does not give you the right to expect anything in return. Being a gentleman is the opposite of that. It is showing respect and restraint at all times until the time and opportunity is given, not taken.
Break the mold of our current society and be a diamond in the rough. Show women and others that you are a gentleman, by not being like everyone else. It like they say, you with catch more bees with honey than vinegar.
