Character and Conduct – 16 June – Public Opinion

OPINION has its value and even its power:  to have it against us is painful when we are among friends, and harmful in the case of the outer world.   We should neither flatter opinion nor court it;  but it is better, if we can help it, not to throw it on to a false scent.   The first error is a meanness;  the second an imprudence…   Be careful of your reputation, not through vanity, but that you may not harm your life’s work, and out of love for truth.   There is still something of self-seeking in the refined disinterestedness which will not justify itself, that it may feel itself superior to opinion.   It requires ability to make what we seem agree with what we are, – and humility to feel that we are no great things.

Amiel’s Journal.

SUPPOSE any man shall despise me.   Let him look to that himself.   But I will look to this, that I be not discovered doing or saying anything deserving of contempt.

MARCUS AURELIUS

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