Being a gentleman is about much more than just good manners—it’s about treating others with respect, showing kindness, and acting with integrity in every situation. Teaching kids the values of gentleness, respect, and courtesy helps them build strong relationships and navigate the world with confidence.
In this blog, we share a collection of gentleman quotes for kids that inspire children to embrace the qualities that make a true gentleman: respect for others, humility, empathy, and honor. These quotes encourage children to act with kindness and decency, and to treat everyone they meet with dignity.
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Table of Contents
Why Teach Kids About Gentlemen
Teaching kids about being a gentleman helps them develop strong character, emotional intelligence, and healthy relationships. When children understand the importance of respect, kindness, and integrity, they become more considerate, empathetic, and responsible. These qualities not only help them navigate social situations but also build self-esteem and confidence. By teaching kids the value of being a gentleman, we equip them with the tools they need to succeed in life—whether it’s through positive interactions with others, taking responsibility for their actions, or practicing self-respect. Ultimately, teaching kids to be a gentleman helps them grow into compassionate, thoughtful individuals who contribute positively to the world around them.
11 Gentleman Quotes for Kids
#1 “A gentleman says ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ often.” — John Bridges
Use good manners. Being polite shows respect and kindness to others.
Journal Prompt:
When do you remember to say “please” and “thank you”?
#2 “Anyone can be heroic from time to time, but a gentleman is something you have to be all the time.” — Luigi Pirandello
Good character is everyday. It’s easy to do something great once, but true character means being kind and good all the time.
Journal Prompt:
What’s a kind thing you do regularly?
#3 “The word of a gentleman is as good as his bond; and sometimes better.” — Charles Dickens
Keep your promises. A person of character keeps their word, no matter what.
Journal Prompt:
When did you keep a promise, even when it was hard?
#4 “Courtesy is as much a mark of a gentleman as courage.” — Theodore Roosevelt
Politeness is as important as bravery. Being kind and polite is just as important as being brave.
Journal Prompt:
When have you been both brave and polite?
#5 “A gentleman doesn’t have one set of manners for the house of a poor man and another for the rich.” — William Maxwell
Treat everyone equally. Real character means treating everyone with respect, no matter who they are.
Journal Prompt:
When have you treated everyone the same, no matter what?
#6 “A gentleman is one who puts more into the world than he takes out.” — George Bernard Shaw
Give more than you take. True character means helping and giving more than you receive.
Journal Prompt:
What’s something kind you did for others recently?
Check Out Capybara-Theme Daily Reflection Journals For Kids!
#7 “Being a gentleman is a matter of choice.” — Vin Diesel
Good character is a choice. You choose how to act—being kind and respectful is up to you.
Journal Prompt:
What good choices have you made today?
#8 “A gentleman is someone who does not do what he wants to do, but what he should do.” — Haruki Murakami
Do what’s right, not just what you want. Sometimes, the right choice isn’t the easiest or most fun, but it shows true character.
Journal Prompt:
When did you do the right thing instead of what you wanted?
#9 “A gentleman would be ashamed should his deeds not match his words.”
Actions match words. What you do should match what you say—be honest and reliable.
Journal Prompt:
When have your actions matched your words?
#10 “The final test of a gentleman is his respect for those who can be of no possible service to him.” — William Lyon Phelps
Be kind with no reward. True character is shown by treating everyone with respect, even when you gain nothing.
Journal Prompt:
Who can you be kind to, even if they can’t help you?
#11 “It is to be honest, to be gentle, to be generous, to be brave, to be wise… and exercise them gracefully.” — William Makepeace Thackeray
Character is a mix of good qualities. The best people show honesty, gentleness, generosity, bravery, and wisdom in all they do.
Journal Prompt:
Which of these qualities do you show most often?
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Ways to Use These Quotes
- Gentleman Goals: After reading a gentleman quote for kids, help children set personal goals to practice good manners, kindness, and respect. These goals could include being polite to others, helping around the house, or speaking kindly about others.
- Respect Discussion: Share a gentleman quote for kids and have a discussion about what it means to treat others with respect. Talk about how small gestures of kindness and good manners can have a big impact on how we relate to others.
- Complimenting Practice: Use a gentleman quote for kids to practice giving sincere compliments. Encourage kids to give compliments to family members, friends, or classmates, focusing on personal qualities like kindness, generosity, and effort rather than just appearance.
- Gentleman Reflection Journals: After reading a gentleman quote for kids, encourage children to keep a journal where they reflect on times when they showed respect, kindness, or helped others. This activity helps kids recognize how they can practice being a gentleman in their daily lives.
- Role-Playing Respectful Behavior: Share a gentleman quote for kids and set up role-playing scenarios where kids can practice showing respect and kindness. For example, they could practice helping someone, offering a compliment, or being polite in a social setting.
- Acts of Kindness Challenges: Use a gentleman quote for kids to create an “Acts of Kindness Challenge.” Encourage children to complete a small act of kindness each day, such as opening the door for someone, complimenting a friend, or sharing with others. This reinforces the importance of respect and kindness in everyday life.
Additional Resources
Gentleman Books For Kids
- Early Elementary Children (Ages 3-6)
- Lower Elementary Children (Ages 7-9)
- Upper Elementary Children (Ages 9-11)
Gentleman Activities For Kids
- Good Manners Practice: After reading a gentleman quote for kids, encourage children to practice good manners in different situations, such as saying “please,” “thank you,” or “excuse me.” You can make it a game to see how many polite phrases they can use during the day.
- Respect Around the World: Share a gentleman quote for kids and explore how respect is shown in different cultures. Help children understand that being a gentleman or a kind person can look different across cultures, but the core values of kindness, respect, and empathy remain the same.
- Respect Role-Play Games: After reading a gentleman quote for kids, organize role-playing games where kids can practice being respectful in different scenarios, such as meeting new people, helping a friend in need, or sharing something with others. This helps kids put into action the principles of being a gentleman.
- Kindness Chain: Share a gentleman quote for kids and create a kindness chain in your home or classroom. Each time a child does something respectful or kind, they add a link to the chain. Over time, they can see how their actions are building a culture of kindness.
More Ideas For Parents & Caregivers
- Celebrate Acts of Kindness: Use a gentleman quote for kids to celebrate moments when your child demonstrates kindness or respect. Recognize when they use good manners or show empathy for others, reinforcing the value of being a gentleman in everyday actions.
- Teach Conflict Resolution: Share a gentleman quote for kids and teach your child how to resolve conflicts respectfully. Encourage them to use polite language, listen to others, and find solutions that are fair and considerate. This helps them understand that being a gentleman means navigating disagreements with respect and kindness.
- Focus on Self-Respect: Share a gentleman quote for kids and teach your child the importance of self-respect. Encourage them to treat themselves with the same kindness, care, and consideration they offer to others. Self-respect is a key component of being a true gentleman.
What’s Your Favorite Gentleman Quote?
Being a gentleman is not about being perfect—it’s about treating others with kindness, respect, and empathy. The gentleman quotes for kids shared today remind us that being a gentleman is about how we act toward others, how we show gratitude, and how we navigate the world with humility. Let’s continue to encourage kids to practice respect, kindness, and integrity in everything they do, helping them grow into caring, responsible individuals.
What is your favorite Gentleman Quote from the post, or do you have another? Share it by tagging me on Instagram @LittleYellowStarTeaches. I would love to see!
Bye for now,
Prima from LittleYellowStar
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