Precept and Practice – JULY 5 – Unconscious Influence

Human beings are unceasingly exerting unconscious influence upon one another.   Insensibly to themselves, they are moulding one another’s character, conduct and destiny.   Without any thought or intention, or even consciousness of the fact, one man is stimulating or depressing another, and producing results of the most vital and lasting importance.   How different are the effects produced by intercourse with different individuals.   The very presence of some is like sunshine, brightening and cheering all who come under their influence, stimulating mental and spiritual growth;  while the society of others acts like a dark cloud, intercepting light and warmth, chilling the feelings, and arresting the development of mind and heart.   We feel at once at our ease in the presence of some people;  we speak freely and naturally, we are elevated by the unconscious influence that emanates from them.   On the other hand, we are ill at ease, awkward and reserved in the expression of our thoughts and feelings, depressed and unhappy in the presence of others.

The instinct of imitation, based upon this unconscious influence, is one of the most powerful in human nature, moulding the form of society, and determining the kind and degree of civilisation.

(Hugh Macmillan)

L. possessed a something in addition to that keen sympathetic insight…..   It was a power peculiarly her own, of putting one in a good humour with one-self.   Hers was the tact of bringing out one’s best and brightest…..   She was…..   utterly unselfish.   She had that rare and sacred gift, the power to awake the best in every one and send them away with old energies revived, old hopes quickened, the world not all dry and desolate since it still held so gracious a presence full of sympathy.

(Life of William and Lucy Smith)

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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