Character and Conduct – 22 November – Grumbling

HIS  eyes were bright with intelligence and trained powers of observation;  and they were beautiful with kindliness, and with the well-bred habit of giving complete attention to other people and their affairs when he talked with them.   He had a rare smile…   but the real beauty of such mouths as his comes from the lips being restrained into firm and sensitive lines, through years of self-control and fine sympathies.

… Under-bred and ill-educated women are, as a general rule, much less good-looking than well-bred and highly-educated ones, especially in middle life;  not because good features and pretty complexions belong to one class more than to another, but because nicer personal habits and stricter discipline of the mind do…   And if, into the bargain, a woman has nothing to talk about but her own and her neighbour’s everyday affairs, and nothing to think about to keep her from continually talking, life, my dear child, is so full of little rubs, that constant chatter of this kind must almost certainly be constant grumbling.   And constant grumbling makes an ugly under-lip, a forehead wrinkled with frowning, and dull eyes that see nothing but grievances.

A Bad Habit, Mrs, EVA

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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.