The splendor of nobility (and vice versa)

Now here’s an announcement I find somewhat surprising: to date, very few, if any, 5-Towners have been invited to the wedding of Prince William and Kate. What with the very many who fancy themselves princes and princesses, with the myriad of wealthy gents who believe money is a king who must reside in a castle, and with the vast number of children who demand to be carried until they’re 18 and then given a BMW to drive, one would have expected a chartered flight to London would be taking off directly from Central Avenue (after having been double-parked there for an hour.) Perhaps some are too modest to reveal the honor (yeah, like that might ever be the case.) Maybe others, after themselves, hosting family events for many, many hundreds with invitations that required $96 in postage, a “shmorg” with 200 items followed by a 12-course dinner that no one ate, three dancing monkeys, eight costume changes for the hostess, nine for the host and a series of ghostwritten speeches by the celebrants followed by paid-for testimonials that they few still remaining guests ignored, think that a royal wedding isn’t “classy” enough.

No, no, truth be told, ours is a community that recognizes the differences between royalty and nobility. Sure, some few may thing “kings” are a part of checkers, “Queens” are a borough and a college, and “royalty” is what Jerry Seinfeld is paid for re-runs, but the vast majority appreciate royalty for its pomp and circumstances, its history and tradition. Most folks place “royalty” in the context of communal and national identity and, while aware that individual “royals” may be flawed and often cause the “kingdom” to be not so magical, still view monarchy as an institution worthy of preservation. Nevertheless, it’s safe to say most Five Towners venerate “nobility” over royalty. They know that royalty is inherited, but nobility is developed and nurtured. Indeed, you’re born to royalty; you grow into nobility. Royalty is a function of blood and genes; nobility is a product of character and intellect. You act royal; you behave nobly. There is a royal countenance, but there is a noble soul.

Through their neighborhood activities, commitment to community and deeds of service and charity, a great many Five-Towners demonstrate that while they appreciate royalty, they aspire to nobility.

Theirs is a nobility as defined by Don Quixote that demands that one “add some measure of grace to the world…” That we should “take a deep breath of life and consider how it should be lived” and thereafter live it with sensitivity and high ideal.

Theirs is a nobility characterized by the late Prime Minister of Israel Menachem Begin according to author Yehuda Avner as one of spirit and a splendor that is not merely style, but an attitude and a frame of mind that projects chivalry, self-esteem, majesty, honor and stateliness.

Yes, 5-Towners may deserve (and often expect) the royal treatment, and may, on occasion enjoy some palace gossip, but as people and as citizens they are less concerned with invitations to the weddings of royals, and more devoted to the nobility

of life.

We should invite William and Kate here.

© Copyright © 2011 Ron Goldman Ron Goldman is an attorney in private practice with offices in Cedarhurst and can be reached @ 1-800-846-9013