# XCVI: Respectability of Birth explained — The Kural > Chapter companion for The Kural by Thiruvalluvar. ## What happens This chapter emphasizes the importance of noble birth as a foundation for virtue, correct conduct, truth, and a sense of shame. It describes the attributes of a true gentleman and warns against actions that would tarnish family honor. ## Themes in this chapter ### Social Harmony and Ethics Discusses how noble birth is tied to correct conduct, truth, and a sense of shame, which uphold social order. ### Virtue and Righteousness Emphasizes that virtue arises from a cultivated sense of shame and adherence to family traditions. ## Character check-ins ### Thiruvalluvar Author of the Kural verses on the respectability of birth and family honor. ## Key lines > Rectitude and a sense of shame come by nature only to men who are born of a good family. Only those born into good families naturally possess righteousness and a sense of shame. _Highlights the inherent moral qualities attributed to noble birth._ > Men of family fall not from three things, namely, correct conduct, truth, and a sense of shame. People of good lineage never abandon proper behavior, honesty, and modesty. _Lists the three pillars of family honor._ > Four are the attributes of the true gentleman: a smiling face, a liberal hand, sweetness of speech, and condescension. A true gentleman is cheerful, generous, gentle in speech, and humble. _Defines the ideal character traits of a noble person._ > If thou desire virtue, thou must cultivate the sense of shame: and if thou want to honour thy family, thou must be respectful unto all. To be virtuous, develop modesty; to honor your family, show respect to everyone. _Concludes with a direct moral injunction linking personal virtue to family honor._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xcvi-respectability-of-birth - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se/chapters