The A-Z of Positive Personality Traits - N is for Noble

The A-Z of Positive Personality Traits - N is for Noble

N IS FOR NOBLE

Next letter up for the A-Z challenge of Positive Personality Traits is N - and N is for Noble. Being noble seems a little bit old fashioned - right up there with knights of the round table and chivalry, jousting and eating roast meat off the haunch (and tossing the bones over your shoulder to your hunting dogs). But I think being noble is still a vital personality trait for us to aim for in today's world too.

WHAT DOES BEING NOBLE MEAN TODAY?

How often do we see people being less than noble today? I see it all the time on social media in particular - the trolls, the compulsive arguers, the self promoters, and the liars. Those people who cannot act in a way that brings about a peaceful resolution because they are too busy riding their high horse and insisting that they know it all.

Being noble may mean that you don't reply to that inflammatory comment on facebook, it may mean you delete a reply on your blog that annoys you rather than getting up in arms and trying to flog them with why you are right and they are wrong. Being noble might mean that you choose not to engage with people who are looking for a fight or looking for a way to stir the pot.

TRUE NOBILITY IN TODAY'S WORLD

Nobility is a quiet trait, it reflects the ability to be quietly confident in yourself, the knowledge that you don't have to shout other people down to hold on to your own beliefs. It is about holding firmly to your values without denigrating the values of others. There's an element of being a lady or a gentleman rather than participating in a verbal brawl that ultimately nobody wins. 

George Bernard Shaw once said:

I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it.
 
I think he makes a valid point for all of us in these days of social media and the urge to respond without thinking.

The A-Z of Positive Personality Traits - N is for Noble

The bible has a passage in Philippians 4:8 that says: 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. 

(I do love a good quote - and the bible is full of them!) Noble thoughts are something to be treasured - they save us a lot of pain and take away the need to joust with others who are just looking for a fight.

See you next time for the continuation of Positive Personality Traits - O is for Ownership.

This post is part of the April A-Z challenge.


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29 comments

  1. Hi Leanne,
    I love this word. Such an old world charm to it. And to bring it into today's perspective.. thank you! We all need a bit of nobility in our everyday.
    Cheers,
    Seena
    #AtoZChallenge- N is for Naming the baby

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    1. we do indeed Seena - sometimes old values are the best values :)

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  2. Hi Leanne, a vanishing trait I would say! I absolutely adored Shaw's words. Isn't it such a dignified trait, being noble! Most of the world seems to be steeped in crass and revolting tit-for-tat behavior.
    A dash of nobility is what we need in all our world....especially in politics!
    @KalaRavi16 from
    Relax-N-Rave

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    1. I've seen some really dreadful stuff done in the name of politics Kala and you're right, there is a big need for nobility in that area in particular!

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  3. Social media is not for the noble. One needs a thick skin to manage this domain.
    [@samantha_rjsdr] from
    Whimsical Compass

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    1. If we all behaved a little more nobly then social media could be a lot nicer place for everyone Samantha - not likely to happen though is it?

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  4. Noble and social media cannot be any further apart :D I appreciate this trait but as well as loyalty it is rare to find in people.

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    1. It's the way our world is going Zeljka - everyone puts themselves first and forgets to be kind in their words and deeds at times.

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  5. I've used that Shaw quote before - and confine to find its true.

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    1. It is a very succinct summary of why you need to avoid trolls and idiots :)

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  6. Noble is a great word and the meaning and actions around would change the world if applied correct. Beautifully well written

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    1. Thank you so much Lindi - I loved the whole concept of "noble" and how we need more of it.

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  7. An old word that is being lost these days. When I met my Husby-to-be, that is the word that came to mind, the moment I saw him. Noble. He has tried to raise his sons to be noble. He feels it is the finest trait they can have. And you know what? I agree! :)

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    1. I love that you saw nobility in him Di - it is such a strong indication of a strong character in a man - one where he would care for his wife above all things.

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  8. We all need a lot more dignity. A lot more refusal to participate in a culture that has little politeness and, instead, showing our fellow humans kindness. Nobility really describes this - well written. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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    1. I agree Alana - we are slowly sliding into a culture of ignoring the needs of others and I think that is why we need more nobility!

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  9. I miss nobility...there just isn't enough of it.

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  10. Hello from A to Z, Leanne. I think noble behavior is very important. Too often it seems that people care about the end result more than they care about how they get there.

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    1. that's so true Cynthia (and something we all need to work on!) Hi back to you and to the challengers x

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  11. Nobility is such an admirable quality. I love people who can rise above the much and behave with dignity. Lovely post!

    @Kathleen01930
    Meet My Imaginary Friends
    #AtoZchallenge

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    1. Me too Kathleen - they set such great examples for the rest of us - thanks for stopping by x

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  12. Stopping by (again) to see how you are doing. I haven't heard "noble" in a long time. I think of people with integrity and respect when I think of that word. Keep up the good work! See you at "Z"-end. www.dianeweidenbenner.com

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    1. I love the word Noble and all the meaning it holds - it is something I miss in our world today - it should be a much more valued trait Diane :)

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  13. I hate to see those kinds of people on line. I wish people would just think before they speak a lot more often.

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    1. It would be nice it they were a little bit thoughtful of the impact they have on others Rena, but I really believe that a lot of people don't care any more and that is just plain sad!

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  14. thanks Marilyn - I still love the #OTM link up - there's always interesting posts to visit each week :)

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  15. I'm not sure how noble I am. I can laugh at myself - which I think might be a noble quality - but I often fight my corner in an argument (particularly when I blog, under my real name, about mental health issues). Interesting post.

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    1. Lovely of you to stop by Bryan - I don't get a lot of men visiting my blog so I hope you found it worth the read and pop back again some time :)

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Thanks so much for your comment - it's where the connection begins.