Character and Conduct – 17 June – Spiritual Balance and Proportion

A WELL-GOVERNED mind learns in time to find pleasure in nothing but the true and the just.

Amiel’s Journal

NOT only does sympathy lead us to see the opinions of others in a truer light, it enables us to form a sounder judgment on our own;  for as long as a man looks only ‘on his own things,’ he fails to see them in true proportion.

LUCY SOULSBY

IF we can live in Christ and have His life in us, shall not the spiritual balance and proportion which were His become ours too?   If He were really our Master and our Saviour, could it be that we should get so eager and excited over little things?   If we were His, could we possibly be wretched over the losing of a little money which we do not need, or be exalted at the sound of a little praise which we know that we only half deserve and that the praisers only half intend?   A moment’s disappointment, a moment’s gratification, and then the ocean would be calm again and quite forgetful of the ripple which disturbed its bosom.

PHILLIPS BROOKS

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.