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Noblesse Oblige for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: noʊ'blɛs_oʊ'bliʒ

What does Noblesse Oblige really mean?

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Hey there! So, you want to know what "Noblesse Oblige" means, right? Well, don't worry, I'm here to help you understand it in the simplest way possible, without using any fancy jargon or complex words.

Imagine you're a superhero with special powers, like Superman or Wonder Woman. Everyone looks up to you and sees you as this incredible person who can do amazing things. Now, imagine that because you have these extraordinary abilities, there's an expectation that you will use them to help others and make the world a better place. That's kind of like what "Noblesse Oblige" means!

See, "Noblesse Oblige" is a fancy way of saying that if you have a lot of power, wealth, or privilege, then you also have a responsibility to use those things for the benefit of others. It's like having a superpower and realizing that you have an obligation to use it for good, to help those who are not as fortunate as you. Pretty cool, right?

Now, let me break it down a bit more. The term "Noblesse" comes from the French word for "nobility," which refers to the people who are considered to be of high social class or have a lot of power. "Oblige," on the other hand, means to have a duty or a responsibility to do something.

So, when you put these two words together, "Noblesse Oblige," it basically means that those who have a lot of power or come from a high social class should feel a sense of duty to help those who are less fortunate or in need. It's like having a superpower, but instead of using it just for yourself, you use it to make the world a better place and help others.

You can think of it as a reminder that with great power or privilege comes great responsibility. It's like saying, "Hey, you have these amazing talents or abilities, so do the right thing and use them to help others. It's not just about you, but about making the world a better place for everyone."

So, next time you hear someone mention "Noblesse Oblige," you'll know that they're talking about the idea that if you have a lot of power or privilege, you have a duty to use it for the greater good. It's like being a superhero and knowing that your superpowers should be used to help others. Cool, right?

Revised and Fact checked by Michael Johnson on 2023-10-29 11:46:30

Noblesse Oblige In a sentece

Learn how to use Noblesse Oblige inside a sentece

  • When my little sister dropped her ice cream cone, I felt a sense of noblesse oblige and bought her a new one.
  • Even though I was in a hurry, I couldn't ignore the homeless man on the street, so I stopped to offer him some food as an act of noblesse oblige.
  • As the captain of the soccer team, I felt a responsibility to set a good example for my teammates, which is a form of noblesse oblige.
  • When a customer at the store accidentally dropped a bottle, I felt it was my noblesse oblige to help clean up the mess.
  • Having been raised in a privileged family, I believe in using my resources to give back to the community, as part of my noblesse oblige.

Noblesse Oblige Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.

Noblesse Oblige Usage Of

Words that the original word is a domain usage of.