Character and Conduct – 1 July – False Impressions

THERE are thousands and thousands of little untruths that hum and buzz and sting in society, which are too small to be brushed or driven away.   They are in the looks, they are in the inflections and tones of the voice, they are in the actions, they are in reflections rather than in direct images that are represented.

They are methods of producing impressions that are false, though every means by which they are produced is strictly true.   There are little unfairnesses between man and man, that are said to be minor matters and that are small things;  there are little unjust judgments and detractions;  there are petty violations of conscience;  there are ten thousand of these flags of passions in men which are called foibles or weaknesses, but which eat like moths.   They take away the temper, they take away magnanimity and generosity, they take from the soul its enamel and its, polish.   Men palliate and excuse them, but that has nothing to do with their natural effect on us.   They waste and destroy us, and that, too, in the souls silent and hidden parts.

HENRY WARD BEECHER

A LIE which is half a truth Is ever the blackest of lies.

TENNYSON

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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.