Kenelm Chillingly Book IV by Edward Bulwer-lytton

CHILLINGLY GORDON did not fail to confirm his acquaintance with Kenelm. He very often looked in upon him of a morning, sometimes joined him in his afternoon rides, introduced him to men of his own set who were mostly busy members of Parliament, rising barristers, or political journalists, but not without a proportion of brilliant idlers, -- club men, sporting men, men of fashion, rank, and fortune. He did so with a purpose, for these persons spoke well of him, -- spoke well not only of his talents, but of his honourable character. His general nickname amongst them was "HONEST GORDON. " Kenelm at first thought this sobriquet must be ironical; not a bit of it. It was given to him on account of the candour and boldness with which he expressed opinions embodying that sort of cynicism which is vulgarly called "the absence of humbug. " The man was certainly no hypocrite; he affected no beliefs which he did not entertain.

And he had very few beliefs in anything, except the first half of the adage, "Every man for himself, -- and God for us all."