Character and Conduct – 11 February – The Secret of Thrift

THE secret of thriving is thrift;  saving of force;  to get as much work as possible done with the least expenditure of power, the least jar and obstruction, the least wear and tear.   And the secret of thrift is knowledge.   In proportion as you know the laws and nature of a subject, you will be able to work at it easily, surely, rapidly, successfully, instead of wasting your money or your energies in mistaken schemes, irregular efforts, which end in disappointment and exhaustion.

CHARLES KINGSLEY

IT is never enough for us simply to know.   We must also weigh.

The Making of Character, Prof. MacCUNN

DOING good, being so divine a privilege, is beset by its own dangers.   Let us see that our good be not evil spoken of by want of thought, method, and self-denial in the doing of it.   The world is waiting for us, with our little store.   Oh that we might economise it more, devote it more thoroughly, and add to it!

Every time we pray, or study, or work, we are receiving to give away.   Men are looking to us in faintness, weariness, and want, and a voice says to us, ‘Give ye them to eat.’   If it is but five loaves, we can offer them to Christ, and He will multiply them.

PHILLIPS BROOKS

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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.