I mourn for those who move through life with nobility in title only, those who lack truly noble actions and character. Good, strong character seems difficult to build and cultivate when served with a silver spoon. Aristocratic classes and elitist hierarchies thrive off of ladder-chasing. What if the ladder falls over onto its side? What if each persons chooses to act nobly simply because they can? We trade our rarest treasures for physical “stuff”.
All the gold which is under or upon the earth is not enough to give in exchange for virtue.
-Plato
What do we leave this life with in the end? Do our lands, crowns, or jewels go with us? No. We carried in our soul, and we hopefully carry out our soul. What condition will your soul be in, though? Have you tended to it with noble discipline and focus, or are you reckless with and unaware of it? We can all grow and glow nobly if we polish and perfect our own policies. How do we act among others? How do we treat both friends and foes? We do not need to follow in the foolish footsteps of many current leaders.
Nobility, without virtue, is a fine setting without a gem.
-Jane Porter
We can sit around at lavish gatherings and ornate parties, talking about this person or that person and what they did or did not do. How noble is that time and effort? What if we used those moments instead to improve ourselves and how we approach everyday interactions? I like to see and consider how my different exchanges with people around me can be adjusted and modified to help us all. If I can say something differently in the future to make us all feel more included and welcome, then I want to figure those things out. I do not want to say the same things or current hip phrases simply out of habit or for some cool factor. I also want to avoid antiquated anecdotes to affect an arrayed audience.
We choose our own destiny. A [person] does not become a hero by virtue of [their] birthright. Only by [their] actions.
-Floki
Nobility necessitates a fine-tuned needle through the middle of it all. How can you be as wise and balanced as possible to be your best self? Consider your actions more carefully.
Whoever does wrong, wrongs [themself]; whoever does injustice, does it to [themself], making [themself] evil.
-Marcus Aurelius
We are each the products of our choices. What we choose to do, eat, say, and even think. Sure, some thoughts will simply appear, but how do you engage with them? Are your choices noble, or are they deplorable? Do you go to sleep at night feeling fulfilled and faithful or frayed and frazzled? Those answers speak volumes to your current path and trajectory. Do you seek retribution and revenge, or can you offer forgiveness and mercy?
What would Jesus do? Feel free to consider a different noble figure instead. The segue is still the same, though. If they can do it, what is stopping you? What would noble you do?
Sweet mercy is nobility’s true badge.
-William Shakespeare
Who gets to honestly say who is authentically noble or not? We can all be princes and princesses. We can all be kings and queens. Rule over your own dominion well, and do not disrespect the domains and demesnes around you. Be a noble neighbor to all others, both near and far. We do not need to perpetuate the toxic cycles of injustice and violence. We can do better because we can be better if we choose to live well and be more noble. Natural nobility nurtures nature. Let ignorant evil bury itself and implode independently.
Maybe it is wise. Maybe it is dumb. Time will tell.