Robert Christy, comp. Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages. 1887.

Nobility

A true nobleman would prefer rags to patched clothing.Spanish.

Better not be at all than not be noble.Tennyson.

Born to consume the fruits of the earth. (Fruges consumere nati.)

Do not make a difference between the noble and ignoble.Hindu.

He is ignoble who disgraces his brave ancestors by a vicious life.

He is noble that hath noble conditions.

He is noble who performs noble deeds.Dutch.

He is of the twice ten thousand for whom earth was made.

He is of true nobility, his father went to the chase with a pair of oxen.German.

It is a reproach to be the first gentleman of his race, but it is a greater to be the last.

Let wealth and commerce, laws and learning die,
But give us back our old nobility.Lord John Manners.

Nobility consists in virtue.Don Quixote.

Nobility has its obligations. (Noblesse oblige.)

Nobility is nothing but ancient riches, and money is the world’s idol.

Nobility remains noble.Hans Andersen.

Piety, prudence, wit, and civility are the elements of true nobility.German.

The more noble the more humble.

There never were fewer nobles than when all would be so.Danish.

’Tis only noble to be good.Tennyson.

To be of noble parentage and not to be endowed with noble qualities is rather a defamation than a glory.

True nobility is exempt from fear.Shakespeare.

True nobility is invulnerable.French.

’Twas virtue only at first made all men noble.Ben Jonson.