A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

It takes three GENERATIONS to make a gentleman
Although apparently not expressed in this form before quot. 1823, the three-generation concept was current in the Renaissance period: e.g. 1598 J. KEPERS tr. A. Romei’s Courtier’s Academy 187 He may bee called absolutely noble, who shall have lost the memory of his ignobilitie.. during the reuolution of three generations; 1625 F. MARKHAM Five Decades of Honour ii. Three perfit descents, do euer so conclude a perfit Gentleman of Blood.

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  1823 J. F. COOPER Pioneers I. xviii. You will find it no easy matter to make a gentleman of him. The old proverb says, that ‘it takes three generations to make a gentleman’. 1915 W. S. MAUGHAM Of Human Bondage xxvii. He remembered his uncle’s saying that it took three generations to make a gentleman: it was a companion proverb to the silk purse and the sow’s ear. 1940 ‘M. INNES’ Comedy of Terrors i. It has always been possible to make a gentleman in three generations; nowadays.. the thing is done in two. ■family; gentry
  

generous see be JUST before you’re generous.
GENIUS is an infinite capacity for taking pains
Cf. 1858 CARLYLE Frederick the Great I. IV. iii. ‘Genius’.. means transcendent capacity of taking trouble, first of all.

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  1870 J. E. HOPKINS Work amongst Working Men iv. Gift, like genius, I often think, only means an infinite capacity for taking pains. 1959 M. BRADBURY Eating People is Wrong iv. Genius is an infinite capacity for taking pains. But we should still foster it, however much of an embarrassment it may be to us. 1974 T. SHARPE Porterhouse Blue xiv. The modern fashion [of research] comes, I suppose, from a literal acceptance of the ridiculous dictum that genius is an infinite capacity for taking pains. "diligence
  

gentleman see when ADAM delved and Eve span, who was then the gentleman?; an ENGLISHMAN’S word is his bond; it takes three GENERATIONS to make a gentleman.