A definition of gentlemanliness...

One of the most influential things that have happened in my life is joining the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Now those of you who were not Greek in college probably have a whole host of images that springs to mind - most of which are probably not very favorable. Yes fraternities do deserve some of the bad press they get but those activities are such a small part of what it means to be a member.

Case in point is why I joined my fraternity, SAE. When I first showed up to the house during rush somebody handed me the creed of the fraternity which outlines what it means to be a gentleman - from that moment on, I was hooked. To this day that definition is a giding force of who I am and the actions I take. Let me share it with you now:

The True Gentleman by John Walter Wayland

The True Gentleman is the man whose conduct proceeds from good will 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 humbled 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.

I think you will agree with me that these are some pretty powerful words. And for those brothers that might be reading this, Phi Alpha! (they will know what that means *S*)