Character and Conduct – 23 November – Grumbling

CULTIVATE the habit of never putting disagreeables into words, even if it be only the weather which is in question;  also of never drawing other people’s attention to words or things which will irritate them.

LUCY SOULSEY

A CUCUMBER is bitter – Throw it away. – There are briars in the road – Turn aside from them. – This is enough.   Do not add, And why were such things made in the world?

MARCUS AURELIUS

PATIENCE under adverse circumstances will often bring about favourable results, while complaint only accentuates and fixes the cause of complaint.   Avoid mention of the disagreeable things that may come into your life.   If you cannot be patient you can at least be silent.   The secret of success lies not so much in knowing what to say as in what to avoid saying.

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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.