Character and Conduct – 21 May – Habit

THE Hell to be endured hereafter which theology tells, is no worse than the hell we make for ourselves in this world by habitually fashioning our characters the wrong way.   Could the young realise how soon they will become mere walking bundles of habits, they would give more heed to their conduct while in the plastic state.   We are spinning our own fates, good or evil, and never to be undone.   Every smallest stroke of virtue or of vice leaves its never-so-little scar.

Psychology, Professor WILLIAM JAMES

ROUTINE is a terrible master, but she is a servant whom we can hardly do without.   Routine as a law is deadly.   Routine as a resource in the temporary exhaustion of impulse and suggestion is often our salvation.

PHILLIPS BROOKS

IT is just as easy to form a good habit as it is a bad one.   And it is just as hard to break a good habit as a bad one.   So get the good ones and keep them.

McKINLEY

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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.