E-text prepared by Chris Curnow, Liz Stead, Julia Neufeld, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustration. See 39648-h.htm or 39648-h.zip: (https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/39648/pg39648-images.html) or (https://www.gutenberg.org/files/39648/39648-h.zip) Transcriber's note: Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). Small capital text has been replaced with all capitals. CHARACTER AND CONDUCT [Illustration: FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH SIR E. J. POYNTER, BART., P.R.A. _This picture represents a Roman Guard on duty at one of the palaces during the destruction of Herculanæum, who, although he might perhaps have made his escape prefers to remain at his post, faithful unto death._] CHARACTER AND CONDUCT A Book of Helpful Thoughts by Great Writers of Past and Present Ages Selected and Arranged for Daily Reading by the Author of "Being And Doing" With a Frontispiece by Sir E. J. Poynter, Bart., P.R.A. Liverpool Henry Young & Sons London Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co. Ltd. 1905 First Edition, 2000 copies, printed November 1904 Second Edition, 1000 copies, printed December 1904 TO _E. K._ _"It is more_ men _that the world wants, not more systems. It is character that our modern life waits for, to redeem and transform it; and conduct as the fruitage of character."_ _The Citizen in his Relation to the Industrial Situation_, BISHOP POTTER. PREFACE 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, is similar in arrangement and purpose to my former volume "Being and Doing"; and has been compiled at the request of several readers who have found that book helpful. It is obvious that without the kindly co-operation of many authors and publishers such books could not exist, and I tender sincere and hearty thanks to those who have made the work possible. All have treated me with unfailing courtesy and generosity. Where I have occasionally used short quotations without permission I ask forgiveness. It would be impossible to name separately each one to whom I am a grateful debtor, so special mention must only be made of the more heavily taxed, and of those who have asked for a formal acknowledgment, namely:-- The Literary Executors of the late Mr. Ruskin, _per_ Mr. George Allen, for extracts from Mr. Ruskin's works. Mr. Edward Arnold for those from _Red Pottage_, by Mary Cholmondeley. Canon Barnett for those from _The Service of God_. Messrs. Deighton Bell & Co. for those from _Pastor Pastorum_, by the Rev. Henry Latham. Mr. James Drummond for those from the writings of Professor Henry Drummond. Messrs. Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co. for those from Sir Edwin Arnold's _Light of Asia_.