Character and Conduct – 14 November – Contentment

CONTENTMENT comes neither by culture nor by wishing;  it is reconciliation with our lot, growing out of an inward superiority to our surroundings.

J. K. McLEAN

IF you wish to be miserable, think about yourself, about what you want, what you like, what respect people ought to pay you;  and then to you nothing will be pure.   You will spoil everything you touch, you will make misery for yourself out of everything which God sends you:  you will be as wretched as you choose.

CHARLES KINGSLEY

DO not let your head run upon that which is none of your own, but pick out some of the best of your circumstances, and consider how eagerly you would wish for them, were they not in your possession.

MARCUS AURELIUS

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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.