An Aphorism

As I've perhaps mentioned before, I like aphorisms. Here's one:

A true gentleman is not serious about being a gentleman.

It holds true in all the aspects of gentlemanlyness I can think of, except the more serious ones, such as defense of a woman, and even then, it should be mostly carried out with a modicum of humor and self-depreciation.

Though I'm not sure it should even be classified as gentlemanly to defend a woman - that is beyond gentlemanly, it is simply right, and thus, one may be vicious about it.