Militancy and Elegance, The Harmonic Contrasts of Gentleman

A man must cultivate potency, a sub-virtue of Militancy, to the highest degree he can. Once he has he will notice greater alertness, determination, and promptness. His recovery from falls will be swifter, he will pierce through apprehension vigorously, and crave to satisfy the dictates of reason more readily. By potency, he becomes more militant.

Practically speaking to cultivate this virtue (i.e. militancy by the practice of potency) well he must not allow the sludge of lethargy or wantonness (softness towards sensuality) to dirty any of his movements. If he drops something he must pick it up with great control and promptness. The same applies to eating, showering, rising from bed, walking, and so on-- control and promptness. If reason says unto him, "Rise." He will sleep no longer. Indeed, easier said than done. Nevertheless, the slightest exertion is, objectively speaking, progress in the right direction.

The Gentleman must take care not be over indulgent in potency, lest he character become anxious, overbearing, sloppy, and even rude. To safe guard against these negative qualities he should seek to harmonize every deliberated exertion with elegance in a manner fitting. If a lady happens to drop something he will be ever so prompt and swift to retrieve the item taking care to maintain composure, coolness, and grace of movement. And to the astute observer or one with better tastes the effect is charm and reassurance. These effects are fitting for a gentleman to exhibit. If we could sum these qualities-- composure, coolness, grace of movement, charm, reassurance-- the outcome would be elegance.

Now I must mention, in an age that tends to exalt the lady above the Church, to the degree that militancy and elegance is motivated by a subtle sensuality and vainglory the noble effects upon the sentiments are diminished. Personally, what I have noticed is the greater the sensuality and vainglory, the greater frivolity and lack of seriousness overshadow militancy and elegance. In short, the gentleman becomes a silly man-child who cares more to impress by cheap jests than to edify the social strata he find himself in.