Is it "something " or "nothing "? Are there any equal words or phrases?

![Dr. Hu Shih A Philosophe To a few, Dr. Hu Shih is either a good enemy or a very good friend. To the rest, he is a big brother ([a few Chinese characters I don't know how to reproduce are shown here])]. All own him to be affable and charming—even his worst foes. He knows all the graces of a gallant, without himself being a gallant. In all those little, but indispensable "airy nothings" which endear a man to society, especially to the company of ladies, Dr. Hu is an adept. He has the happy knack of making everybody feel at home in his company. The proud are flattered by his attentions; and nincompoops feel importantby his treatment of them as his equals. In the best sense of the word, Dr. Hu is a democrat: He has not a touch of social or intellectual snobbishness. Dr. Hu Keeps Open House on Sundays. Nobody then is refused entrance to his house. With everyone, whether student or communist or business man or robber, he is equally patient.]1

Dr. Hu Shih (胡适) was one of the most important historical characters of modern China. The material is from Imperfect Understanding, an essays collection. The writer, a learning British-Chinese, was his friend and thought highly of Dr. Hu Shih.