Character and Conduct – 23 February – Idleness
IT is not necessary for a man to be actively bad in order to make a failure of life; simple inaction will accomplish it. Nature has everywhere written her protest against idleness; everything which ceases to struggle, which remains inactive, rapidly deteriorates. It is the struggle towards an ideal, the constant effort to get higher and further which develops manhood and character.
SHUN idleness, it is the rust that attaches itself to the most brilliant metals.
VOLTAIRE
THERE is always hope in a man that actually and earnestly works. In idleness alone is there perpetual despair.
CARLYLE
‘TWERE all as good to ease one breast of grief
As sit and watch the sorrows of the world.
The Light of Asia, E. ARNOLD
oooOOOooo
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.
Suffolk Vicar 