Being and Doing – 1 December – Self-examination

WHEN you are examining yourself, never call yourself a “sinner,’ that is very cheap abuse and utterly useless.   Call yourself a liar, a coward, a sluggard, a glutton, &c., if you indeed find yourself to be in any wise any of these.   Take steady means to check yourself in whatever fault you have ascertained and justly accused yourself of.   And as soon as you are in active way of mending, you will be no more inclined to moan over an undefined corruption.   For the rest, you will find it less easy to uproot faults than to choke them by gaining virtues.   Do not think of your faults, still less of other people’s faults;  in every person who comes near you, look for what is good and strong;  honour that;  rejoice in it;  and as you can, try to imitate it;  and your faults will drop off like dead leaves when their time comes.

RUSKIN

WE are wrong always when we think too much of what we think or are.

E. B. BROWNING

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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.