Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hela]

Dear teachers,

Would you please tell me what does "clean living" mean in this context?

"My father, Theodore Roosevelt, was the best man I ever knew. He combined strength and courage with gentleness, tenderness and great unselfishness. He would not tolerate in us, children, selfishness or cruelty, cowardice or untruthfulness. As we grew older, he made us understand that: the same standard of clean living was demanded for the boys as for the girls; that what was wrong in a woman could not be right in a man."

Many thanks,
Hela

[bud]

I'd say that he meant characteristics such as the ones mentioned: unselfishness, courage, kindness, strength, etc. I have a friend that calls that "leading a Christian life."

[hela]

Is it referring to an irreproachable behaviour with a strong sense of morality?

[bud]

Yes, that's a pretty good way to sum it up, I'd say!

[hela]

Thanks