Samuel Smiles：Self-Help, Excerpt 246

The gentleman is eminently distinguished for his self-respect. He values his character,—not so much of it only as can be seen of others, but as he sees it himself; having regard for the approval of his inward monitor. And, as he respects himself, so, by the same law, does he respect others. Humanity is sacred in his eyes: and thence proceed politeness and forbearance, kindness and charity. It is related of Lord Edward Fitzgerald that, while travelling in Canada, in company with the Indians, he was shocked by the sight of a poor squaw trudging along laden with her husband’s trappings, while the chief himself walked on unencumbered. Lord Edward at once relieved the squaw of her pack by placing it upon his own shoulders,—a beautiful instance of what the French call _politesse de cœur_—the inbred politeness of the true gentleman.

Source： https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/935
Locator：Excerpt 246 · Verified：2026-10-19 · Verification：Short excerpt

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