Character and Conduct – 13 June – Egotism

WE ought to have this measure of charity for egotistical people – a willingness to suppose that they actually believe themselves to be what they assume to be.   It is quite possible for a person to be in such a fog of misapprehension that everything about him – his little world, his personal interest – will loom abnormally large.   When the fog is dispelled, he will see things as they are, and estimate them and himself accordingly.

Egotism of this kind is pardonable;  and there is a great deal of it which is peculiar to the mists and strange refractions of youth.   When the sun of a clearer and larger knowledge chases away the fog, a right-minded young person emerges from this egotistical, too self-conscious period of his life, and finds a new adjustment for himself in the great and serious world.

He who is always enquiring what people will say, will never give them opportunity to say anything great about him.

REPUTATION is in itself only a farthing candle, of wavering and uncertain flame, and easily blown out;  but it is the light by which the world looks for and finds merit.

LOWELL

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 them here readers may be inspired to imitate the example of the authors.