Character and Conduct – 2 May – The Science of Social Life

IF you would be loved as a companion, avoid unnecessary criticism upon those with whom you live.  The number of people who have taken out judges’ patents for themselves is very large in any society.   Now it would be hard for a man to live with another who was always criticising his actions, even if it were kindly and just criticism.   It would be like living between the glasses of a microscope.   But these self-elected judges, like their prototypes, are very apt to have the persons they judge brought before them in the guise of culprits.

Let not familiarity swallow up old courtesy.   Many of us have a habit of saying to those with whom we live such things as we say about strangers behind their backs.   There is no place, however, where real politeness is of more value than where we mostly think it would be superfluous.   You may say more truth, or rather speak out more plainly to your associates, but not less courteously than to strangers.

Sir ARTHUR HELPS

TENNYSON

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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.