Character and Conduct – 18 May – Character

THE moments of our most important decisions are often precisely those in which nothing seems to have been decided; and only long afterwards, when we perceive with astonishment that the Rubicon has been crossed, do we realise that in that half-forgotten instant of hesitation as to some apparently unimportant side issue, in that unconscious movement which betrayed a feeling of which we were not aware, our choice was made.   The crises of life come, like the Kingdom of Heaven, without observation.   Our characters, and not our deliberate actions, decide for us;  and even when the moment of crisis is apprehended at the time by the troubling of the water, action is generally a little late.   Character, as a rule, steps down first.

Diana Tempest, MARY CHOLMONDELEY

GREAT occasions do not make heroes or cowards – they simply unveil them to the eyes of men.   Silently and imperceptibly, as we wake or sleep, we grow and wax strong, or we grow and wax weak, and at last some crisis shows us what we have become.

Bishop WESTCOTT

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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.