Being and Doing – 10 February – Character

HARDNESS of character is a want of minute attention to the feelings of others.  It does not proceed from malignity or a carelessness of inflicting pain, but from a want of delicate perception of those little things by which pleasure is conferred or pain excited.

SIDNEY SMITH.

HIS gentleness was inconceivable to those who had not seen it.  One might almost say that he was meekness itself rather than a man gifted with that grace, and this gave him such ascendancy over other men that everyone yielded to him, while he, on his part, sought to give up everything to others, desiring nothing, save to see them serving God and saving their souls.

From The Life of S. Francis de Sales.

HOWEVER just her indignation might be, her ideal was not to claim justice, but to give tenderness.

From Ethics of George Eliot.

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These quotes are from ‘Being and Doing’ A selection of helpful thoughts from various authors arranged for daily reading.

Collected by Constance M Whishaw and first published in 1908 for members of the Being and Doing Guild whose object is to do all they can for the relief of suffering and misery.

Most of the writers are 19th Century Christians from Britain and Europe who were committed to living their faith through deeds as well as words – Being AND Doing.

For many years these words have kept me company and encouraged me on the journey of faith.  I hope they will encourage others also.