Precept & Practice – MAY 23 – Charm
Small kindnesses, small courtesies, small considerations, habitually practised in our social intercourse, give a greater charm to the character than the display of great talents and accomplishments.
Small kindnesses, small courtesies, small considerations, habitually practised in our social intercourse, give a greater charm to the character than the display of great talents and accomplishments.
And as the love of Christ for small ungifted, humble, faithful persons is a transcendent comfort, no less comfort is the acceptance by Christ of little things, the pity of Christ for evil things, the tenderness of Christ for things despised;
It is often necessary and kind rather to write letters that amount to nothing than not to write at all
A more obliging Christian would accommodate himself to what was asked of him, and thus would please Almighty God, make himself loved by his superiors, and enjoy that sweet satisfaction which charity produces when joined with humility.
Talking of one’s own ails and grievances. – Bad enough, but not so bad as insulting the person you talk with by remarking on his ill-looks, or appearing to notice any of his personal peculiarities.
There are many forces that imperil self-respect; it is undermined by sin, it is mocked and threatened by temptation, it is discouraged by the experience of failure; only the grace of God, forgiving and renewing us, suffices wholly to repair and reinvigorate it.
Can we care even for those who have been to us as Judas was to Jesus…
…But if I can’t forgive those who betray me how can I expect forgiveness from God?
Kindness has converted more sinners than either zeal, eloquence, or learning; and these three never converted any one, unless they were kind also.
Judge nothing before the time. Till you know all, you are not fit to judge.
It is not for us men to apportion the shares of moral guilt and retribution.