Being and Doing – 12 May – Manners

MANNERS are often too much neglected;   they are most important to men no less than to women.   Life is too short to get over a bad manner;   besides, ‘ manners are the shadows of virtues.’ 

IN character, in manners, in style, in all things the supreme excellence is simplicity.

LONGFELLOW

IF anyone asks me where he is to go to learn good manners, I say at once that he must go to the school of Christ.   I believe from my heart that no one lives near to Christ, no one follows Him in ‘lowliness, patience, and charity,’ who will ever be really an ill-behaved man.   He may be ignorant of many of the customs of what is called ‘ good society,’ he may not be what the world calls ‘ refined,’ but he will never be coarse, vulgar, offensive.

I am aware that many people do not know of this basis of conduct, and that some will hardly be made to believe in it, but I am sure it is true for all that.

W. R. CLARK

oooOOOooo

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.