Character and Conduct – 28 July – Manners

THERE are many tests by which a gentleman may be known:-  but there is one that never fails – How does he exercise power over those subordinate to him?   How does he conduct himself towards women and children?…    He who bullies those who are not in a position to resist, may be a snob, but cannot be a gentleman.   He who tyrannises over the weak and helpless may be a coward, but no true man.

S. SMILES

OUR servants never seem to leave us;  they are paid what many people would call absurdly high wages, but I do not think that is the attraction.   My mother does not see very much of them, and finds fault, when rarely necessary, with a simple directness which I have in vain tried to emulate;  but her displeasure is so impersonal that there seems to be no sting in it.   It is not that they have failed in their duty to herself, but they have been untrue to the larger duty to which she is herself obedient.

The House of Quiet

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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.