What makes a man noble?

Melisa and I just finished watching the film Braveheart again (one of our favorites).

A line I have always found striking was the statement of the 16th Earl of Bruce to his son, Robert. The father says, "It is precisely the ability to compromise that makes a man noble." The son comes to discover otherwise through the course of the film--experiencing compromise in the worst possible way.

I would suggest that a wonderful description of what makes a man noble is found in the traditional list of the seven heavenly virtues: faith, hope, love, prudence, temperance, justice, and most especially, fortitude.

Indeed, according to its etymology the word "virtue" (Latin: virtus) signifies manliness or courage. The world will always need virtuous men.