One of the greatest joy of art lovers and curious minds is to find meaning to the works of art as it relates to our everyday life. Jean-Francois Millet piece of art, The Sower, displayed in Musee d’ Orsay, Paris, is one of the most popular piece of art in that gallery because it demonstrates the great generosity of a sower who walks generously spreading his seeds across a tilled earth. The sower, despite having little reward for his long hours of hard work, has an indomitable spirit, which makes him continue to sow, motivated by the zeal to touch lives with the seed he’s sowing. That is the depiction of nobility in the context of this essay.
The dictionary definition of nobility elucidates more on the society of orders that model nobility, either as a personal accomplishment or as a social class. During the era of early renaissance in Europe, nobility ideally was synonymous with loyalty, valour, and honour because it relates to high social status. It was the highest social class in pre modern societies with legal privileges that determined ones way of life.
Against these medieval conceptions of nobility is the true demonstration of nobility as exemplified by Christina Nobles, an Irish children’s right activists and philanthropist. Without qualifications, Christina volunteered to help children and get them “out of gutter.” Having grown in the slums of Dublin and endured a childhood of appalling suffering, she developed a passion to help other children because she believes that every child deserves love and kindness. She smuggled children who were dirty, hungry, afraid, and sad into her room and gave them bath, food, clothes, and care.
Another example of a noble person is William Wilberforce, who went extra miles to fight for the abolishment of slavery in Britain. Beyond this, he campaigned for many good courses to improve the lives of the less privileged, to promote education reforms and many other reforms, as well as to end child labour. He was known to have passionately fought against what he believed was morally wrong, even though he was not directly affected by them.
A true noble life is a life that remembers others and believes that we are all the same with equal rights and opportunities. Christina and Wilberforce demonstration of kindness wasn’t a kind of aid work that involved protocols or committees but a noble work where they reached out to the needs of others without minding who supported them or not.
When you think of a noble character, what comes to your mind? A famous person or a person of influence or a person of dignity? That’s not all that nobility represents. Nobility has to do with ones character and how it affects others. A person of noble character is a person of worthy character, one that is worth observing and admiring. It is a very conspicuous character with matching strokes, pure motives, and good actions. A noble personality encourages, motivates, inspires, and makes everyone around him happy. Something about noble character is contagious and alluring.
Having a noble character is a necessary attribute in life, but as a matter of fact, it is rare these days. A person of noble character chooses to do what should be done and devotes time, energy, and resources to do so. It takes discipline, determination, and resolution to engage in honourable things and walk in the paths of nobility.
Children and youths must learn to walk nobly in the paths that inspire confidence in and from others. They must aspire to inculcate value in people and situations. They must learn to invest and reinvest in the right people by choosing the right circle. They must learn to focus on the good and avoid harmful choices in life. They must invest their time, talent, energy, purpose, and plan in worthy ventures. They must care for people with respectful and loving interactions. They must avoid laziness, overspending, over indulging, and squandering. They must care for themselves, their families, friends, and everyone around their corners. They must build respect and good character as they interact within and outside their community. They must never neglect the poor. That is true nobility!
Not only is it important to act nobly, but one needs to look it too. Yes, dress for it. Ones background, skin colour, personality, perspective, profession, and other unique skills must be in conformance with his looks. A noble character has an attire of conduct to be wrapped on. That’s why it is easy to ascertain ones kind of person by their dressing, approach, demeaner, and communication. A person of noble character is attractive in all ramifications.
In the words of Nicholas Sparks, in the end, you should always do the right thing even if it’s hard. Generally, nobility entails investing our best in purposeful activities, and it is a lifelong course and a worthy venture for everyone.
*BIBLE VERSE*
*Ecclesiastes 10:17*
*Happy are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!*
*PROVERB*
*There is nothing noble in being superior to some other person. The true nobility is in being superior to your previous self.* ~ *Indian Proverbs*
*RIDDLE*
*Some are born with it. Others achieve it, but it thrusts upon no one. It is the horizon of chivalry and godliness. What is it?*
*Amara Ann Unachukwu*
