Character and Conduct – 9 February – Readiness

TO know how to be ready – a great thing – a precious gift, – and one that implies calculation, grasp and decision.   To be always ready, a man must be able to cut a knot, for everything cannot be untied;  he must know how to disengage what is essential from the detail in which it is enwrapped, for everything cannot be equally considered;  in a word, he must be able to simplify his duties, his business, and his life.   To know how to be ready, is to know how to start.

It is astonishing how all of us are generally cumbered up with the thousand and one hindrances and duties which are not such, but which nevertheless wind us about with their spider threads and fetter the movement of our wings.   It is the lack of order which makes us slaves;  the confusion of to-day discounts the freedom of to-morrow.

Confusion is the enemy of all comfort, and confusion is born of procrastination.

To know how to be ready we must be able to finish.  Nothing is done but what is finished.  The things which we leave dragging behind us will start up again later on before us and harass our path.  Let each day take thought for what concerns it, liquidate its own affairs and respect the day which is to follow, and then we shall be always ready.  To know how to be ready, is at bottom to know how to die.

Amiel’s Journal

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

Collected by Constance M Whishaw and first published in 1905 as a follow up to her volume of Daily Readings for members of the Being and Doing Guild who asked for an additional volume

In her preface Whishaw writes:

‘This collection of noble thoughts expressed by men and women of past and present ages who have endeavoured to leave the world a little better than they found it.’

It is my hope in publishing the her readers may be inspired to imitate the example of the authors.