Precept & Practice – MAY 17 – Kindliness

Each solitary kind action that is done, the whole world over, is working briskly in its own sphere to restore the balance between right and wrong.   Kindness has converted more sinners than either zeal, eloquence, or learning;  and these three never converted any one, unless they were kind also.   The continual sense which a kind heart has of its own need of kindness, keeps it humble.   Perhaps an act of kindness never dies, but extends the invisible undulations of its influence over the breadth of centuries.

F. W. Faber

…..Above all things be kindly;  kindliness is a grace very near the likeness of God, and one which disarms men above all else…..   Gentle, charitable thoughts of others gradually stamp the countenance and help it to win hearts.

Sidney Lear (Lacordaire’s Life)

Simple kindliness has great virtue, uplifting to the heart.

Lucas Malet (The Far Horizon)

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From the Introduction to Precept and Practice

The kindly welcome given to my other little books, ‘Being and Doing’ and ‘Character and Conduct,’ must be my excuse for adding another collection of extracts to the number now in circulation.

The quotations are gathered from the books of many earnest thinkers, and deal with Life in all its length and breadth, with ourselves, our characters, our plain unvarnished faults and weaknesses, our often untoward circumstances, and with all that drags us down;-  with our purposes, our religion, our love and friendships, and with all that uplifts us;-  with our relation to others, our influence and responsibilities, and finally with those stages of our journey which bring us to the Road’s Last Turn and to the Silent Land.

CONSTANCE  M. WHISHAW