Character and Conduct – 14 October – Self-Examination
IT IS my custom every night to run all over the words and actions of the past day; for why should I fear the sight of my errors when I can admonish and forgive myself? I was a little too hot in such a dispute: my opinion might have been as well spared, for it gave offence, and did no good at all. The thing was true; but all truths are not to be spoken at all times.
SENECA
RESOLVES
To try to be thoroughly poor in spirit, meek, and to be ready to be silent when others speak.
To learn from every one.
To try to feel my own insignificance.
To believe in myself and the powers with which I am entrusted.
To try to make conversation more useful, and therefore to store my mind with facts, but to guard against a wish to shine.
To try to despise the principle of the day every man his own trumpeter,’ and to feel it a degradation to speak of my own doings, as a poor braggart.
To speak less of self and to think less.
To contend one by one against evil thoughts.
To try to fix my thoughts in prayer without distraction.
To watch over a growing habit of uncharitable judgment.”
F. W. Robertson’s Life
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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.
Suffolk Vicar 