noblesse oblige

[ noh-bles oh-bleezh; French naw-bles aw-bleezh ]

noun

1. the moral obligation of those of high birth, powerful social position, etc., to act with honor, kindliness, generosity, etc.

noblesse oblige

/ nəʊˈblɛs əʊˈbliːʒ; nɔblɛs ɔbliʒ /

noun

1. ironic.
   the supposed obligation of nobility to be honourable and generous

noblesse oblige

1. The belief that the wealthy and privileged are obliged to help those less fortunate. From French, meaning “nobility obligates.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of noblesse oblige¹

First recorded in 1830–40; from French: literally, “nobility obliges”

Word History and Origins

Origin of noblesse oblige¹

French, literally: nobility obliges

Example Sentences

There might be just a dash of noblesse oblige in there, too, a little well-intentioned clemency from soccer’s great conqueror.

From New York Times

His noblesse oblige masked a steely newsman who stood by his publication and industry whenever they were under attack.

From Los Angeles Times

It's the "noblesse oblige" posturing of 19th-century industrialists, who pretended that building a few museums made up for grinding underpaid workers into dust.

From Salon

Given the vast wealth gap between likely patrons and these portrait-subjects, the question creates an inescapable aura of noblesse oblige.

From Los Angeles Times

Today, Beek and his family run it out of a sense of noblesse oblige.

From Los Angeles Times