The Season of Nobility

This is the time of year we often hear – ’tis the season to be jolly. I like to think of it as the season to be noble.

The etymology of noble:

c.1225, “illustrious, distinguished, worthy of honor or respect,” from O.Fr. noble, from L. nobilis “well-known, famous, renowned, of superior birth,” earlier gnobilis, lit. “knowable,” from gnoscere “to come to know,” from PIE base *gno- (see know). The prominent Roman families, which were “well known,” provided most of the Republic’s public officials. Meaning “distinguished by rank, title, or birth” is first recorded 1297. Sense of “having lofty character, having high moral qualities” is from 1601. The noble gases (1902) so called for their inactivity or interness; a use of the word that had been applied in M.E. to precious stones, metals, etc., of similar quality (c.1390), from the sense of “having admirable properties” (c.1305).

Nobility has gotten a bad rap over the centuries as less-than-noble humans inherited the banner of nobility through birthright. When I think of the nobility of the soul, the points I resonate with in the above are:

  • worthy of honor
  • knowable
  • high moral qualities
  • having admirable properties

Nobility, for me,  carries a high sense of value, a sense of being above pettiness and the mundane, a sense of regality (of the king) and a great sense of generosity.

Generosity is the quality that makes the season noble. The etymology of generous:

1588, from M.Fr. généreux (fem. généreuse), from L. generosus “of noble birth,” from genus (gen. generis) “race, stock” (see genus). Originally “of noble birth,” secondary senses of “unselfish” and “plentiful” were both present in Fr. and perhaps in Latin.

For me, generosity has a sense of openness in it that allows the richness and depth of personal value to flow into present experience. One of the sweet mysteries of the soul is its depth and breadth of treasure.

As I walk thorugh the mall, the bookstore, the restaurant or go through my ordinary day is this Holiday Season, I witness a lot of nobility & poverty. Regardless of our circumstances, we need not lack generosity or nobility.

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