Bishop Temple.

Morbid Introspectiveness

OCTOBER 16

"Plainly there is one danger in all self-discipline which has to be most carefully watched and guarded against, that, namely, of valuing the means at the expense of the end, and so falling into either self-righteousness or formalism, and very probably into uncharitableness also. If we esteem our obedience to rule, and self-imposed restraints, for their own sake, we effectually destroy their power to train and elevate. I suppose this is the real mistake of a false asceticism, which sees the merit rather in the amount of discipline undergone than in the character and self-conquest to be gained by it."

Bishop Walsham How.

"... It is a clear view of higher motives, which at once reveals and defeats our meaner impulses; which assists the discipline of proper self-searching, by making it healthy and hopeful; and resists any habit of morbid introspectiveness with its fatal tendency to paralyse activity of character."

Canon Knox Little.

Introspection

OCTOBER 17

"Beware of despairing about yourself."