Character and Conduct – 22 October – Love the Destroyer of Sin

FOR the most of us the more hopeful plan is to overcome our passions by thinking of something else. This something else need by no means be a serious thing.   For it happens sometimes that ideas that do not soar above trivialities may nevertheless have sent down such roots into a man’s life, and become so fruitful of suggestion, that they prove more effective allies than more imposing and pretentious resources.   Whence it comes that a sport, or a pastime, have before now weaned many from cares and sorrows which seemed proof against even the consolations of religion.   Be it granted that, severely construed, this is a proof of the frivolity of human nature.   But it is none the less an illustration of the expulsive power of ideas.

The Making of Character, Professor MacCUNN

HE proposed to make sin impossible by replacing it with love.   If sin be an act of self-will, each person making himself the centre, then Love is the destruction of sin, because Love connects instead of isolating.   No one can be envious, avaricious, hard-hearted;  no one can be gross, sensual, unclean, if he loves.   Love is the death of all bitter and unholy moods of the soul, because Love lifts the man out of himself and teaches him to live in another.

The Mind of the Master, Dr. JOHN WATSON

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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.