Character and Conduct – 28 December – Old Age

WE MUST not take the faults of our youth into our old age;  for old age brings with it its own faults.

GOETHE

IT IS only to the finest natures that age gives an added beauty and distinction;  for the most persistent self has then worked its way to the surface, having modified the expression, and to some extent, the features, to its own likeness. 

MATHILDE BLIND

THE MOST beautiful existence, it seems to me, would be that of a river which should get through all its rapids and waterfalls not far from its rising, and should then in its widening course form a succession of rich valleys, and in each of them a lake equally but diversely beautiful, to end, after the plains of age were past, in the ocean where all that is weary and heavy-laden comes to seek for rest.

Amiel’s Journal.

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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 is that readers may be inspired to imitate the example of the authors.