The property of manliness in a man is a great possession, but perhaps there is none that is less understood,—which is more generally accorded where it does not exist, or more frequently disallowed where it prevails. There are not many who ever make up their minds as to what constitutes manliness, or even inquire within themselves upon the subject.
 Anthony Trollope, Phineas Redux (1874). copy citation

add
Author Anthony Trollope
Source Phineas Redux
Topic property manliness
Date 1874
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/18640/18640-h/18640-h.htm

Context

“I thought that he could face the world with dignity;—but now it seems that he breaks down." "He has been very roughly used, my dear." "So he has,—and tenderly used too. Nobody has had better friends. I thought he would have been more manly." The property of manliness in a man is a great possession, but perhaps there is none that is less understood,—which is more generally accorded where it does not exist, or more frequently disallowed where it prevails. There are not many who ever make up their minds as to what constitutes manliness, or even inquire within themselves upon the subject. The woman's error, occasioned by her natural desire for a master, leads her to look for a certain outward magnificence of demeanour, a pretended indifference to stings and little torments, a would-be superiority to the bread-and-butter side of life, an unreal assumption of personal grandeur.” source