foxesandlightning:

inkskinned:

i have so much love for those who are soft in their daily life, who get scared to ask permission, who won’t dial the phone, who can’t order food without panicking – and i have even more love for those who carry this fear with them, but the minute someone else is threatened, the soft hands become hard fists. the voice that trembles when asking for two sugars becomes strong, capable. i have so much love for those who are warriors, who use their strength only in defense of others.

It took me awhile to realize gentility does not equate weakness but knowing when to use strength. It is a protective quality.