What is the meaning of this quote?

Question

A gentleman will not insult me, and no man not a gentleman can insult me.

Fredrick Douglass.

Answer 1

He means that a gentleman will not insult him because usually a gentleman has courtesy and manners. Then he says that, "and no man not a gentleman can insult me.' This means that no one can insult him because it doesn't bother or annoy him. He basically is saying that nothing gets to him and that he doesn't let what people say about him dictate how he thinks of himself.

Answer 2

Well, you hit on another good one.

First there is no evidence ("chapter & verse") that Douglass said this although he very well may have. As it is revevant to his life
a very important role did he play. He was also very educated, literate so he certainly may have known about the quote.

William Cowper, English poet and hymnodist (1731 – 1800)
is credited with this quote.

" A gentleman Will not insult me, and no other can."

But you asked "what is the meaning": it is feasible that Mr. Douglass said this.

Cowper's and Douglass may have answered you question in diffrerent ways:

The entire concept of "Gentleman" is English. European based. You are or you are not. It is all meeting the qualifications of that era.

Luck has it that American "******" "Blacks" could be such
and that is another answer.

Being a "gentleman" implies:

1. a code of conduct
2. education
3. honour (honor)
4. rights of birth and status
5. etc.

Cowper's likely hardly ever associated in any event, deep conversation with anyone not a "gentleman" well perhaps a few servents, etc.

Mister Douglass had to endure many, many racist, stupid Americans mostly "Anglo-Saxon" but all Americans.

So the "gentleman" of say England would seldom (not always) insult directly a fellow countryman or other national. Well except for a Frenchman. "stuff travels downhill" is a good quote: one does not insult a gentleman without the implied threat of a duel.

Many of these folks died for honour. Douglass was saying the racist Americans (from all parts of America) were not gentlemen, not worthy of any consideration.

Hope this helps.

Ask more but I have no idea if this "answers" place can allow such.

Joe Doc

Answer 3

A gentleman is not going to do something to insult someone. And this person has enough self esteem that the opinion of someone who isn't a gentleman doesn't matter to him enough to be insulting.

Answer 4

If a man is classy, a gentleman, he would not speak insultingly. If a person has no class and does speak insultingly, it just shows what kind of person he is and only reflects poorly on him, not really on the person he tried to insult!

Answer 5

if he was a true Gentleman he would not insult you...so NO MAN, NOT A GENTLEMAN would not insult you.

Answer 6

it simply means that no man nor woman who can insult him