Character and Conduct – 4 August – Friendship

WE should ever have it fixed in our memories, that by the characters of those whom we choose for our friends, our own is likely to be formed, and will certainly be judged of by the world.   We ought, therefore, to be slow and cautious in contracting intimacy;  but when a virtuous friendship is once established, we must ever consider it as a sacred engagement.

BLAIR

MIGHT I give counsel to any young hearer, I would say unto him:  Try to frequent the company of your betters.   In books and life is the most wholesome society;  learn to admire rightly;  the great pleasure of life is that.   Note what the great men admired – they admired great things;  narrow spirits admire basely, and worship meanly.

THACKERAY

BE slow to fall into friendship; but when thou art in, continue firm and constant.

SOCRATES

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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.