Character and Conduct – 4 July – Accuracy

WE always weaken what we exaggerate.

LA HARPE

IT is no great advantage to have a lively wit if exactness be wanting.  The perfection of a clock does not consist in its going fast, but in its keeping good time.

VAUVENARGUES

AFTER much vehement talk about ‘the veracities, will come utterly unveracious accounts of things and people – accounts made unveracious by the use of emphatic words where ordinary words alone are warranted:  pictures of which the outlines are correct, but the lights and shades and colours are doubly and trebly as strong as they should be.

HERBERT SPENCER

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.