Character and Conduct – 26 September – Fasting

FASTING comes by nature when a man is sad, and it is in consequence the natural token of sadness:  when a man is very sad, for the loss of relations or the like, he loses all inclination for food.   But every outward sign that can be displayed at will is liable to abuse, and so men sometimes fasted when they were not really sad, but when it was decorous to appear so.   Moreover a kind of merit came to be attached to fasting as betokening sorrow for transgressions;  and at last it came to be regarded as a sort of self-punishment which it was thought the Almighty would accept in lieu of inflicting punishment Himself.   Our Lord does not decry stated fasts or any other Jewish practices, they had their uses and would last their times;  only He points men to the underlying truth which was at the bottom of the ordinance.

Pastor Pastorum, HENRY LATHAM

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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.