A summary of the doctrine of chivalry (and not only towards women)

[fpb]

AS
the purpose of wisdom is to enlighten ignorance
AND AS
the purpose of wealth is to relieve poverty,
SO
the purpose of strength is to defend weakness.

This seems, once stated, all too obvious; but it is really revolutionary as compared with the apparently universal belief that the purpose of strength is to compel weakness.

Comments

Question

[sanscouronne.livejournal.com]

What is the difference between chivalry and the concept of "noblesse oblige"?

Re: Question

[fpb.livejournal.com]

Not much, but a smaller range of duties could be compassed in the latter. Like an ancient Celt or Germanic lord would of course be expected, because of his noblesse, to be generous to everyone and to support his followers, but not to follow the specific duties of a knight. Let us say that chivalry is a specific sub-section of that larger set that includes the duties of social superiors.

Re: Question

[fpb.livejournal.com]

And let us not forget that the sentence "Noblesse oblige" and the concept and language of chivalry come from the same country.

Re: Question

[sanscouronne.livejournal.com]

And I think for us anglophones, the word "chivalry" seems less patronizing than "noblesse oblige."