The essence of aristocracy

What is, the essence of aristocracy, the cult of image or just simplicity based on egalitarian principles?

Old or recent nobiliary aristocracy, bourgeois aristocrats, talented aristocracy, all coexisted in the society with different manifestations of luxury: ostentatious luxury exceeding their social background, inherited luxury displaying past wealth, and, occasionally, a reserved luxury, reflecting the wish to maintain their social status and state social dignity.

Simplicity, however, is also one of the traits of aristocracy, whether in social life, familial relationships and in charity.

Society values aristocrats according to their manners, compelling them to replace arrogance by simplicity, superiority by affability, even if this does not rule out a certain degree of condescension.

Simplicity confers aristocracy prestige, influence and social or personal superiority, becoming their essence in the extent that relationships with others are based on reciprocal respect founded both in hierarchical rights and in the right of human dignity.