August 26

“Find fault, if you must find fault, in private if possible; and some time after the offence rather than at the time. The blamed are less inclined to resist when they are blamed without witnesses; both parties are calmer, and the accused party is struck with the forbearance of the accuser, who has seen the fault, and watched for a private and proper time for mentioning it.”

SYDNEY SMITH

“There is more dignity and hope of success in a simple expression of disapprobation on the discovery of a fault, accompanied by a declaration that all further explanation is reserved for a calmer moment, than in any heated reprimands.”

Mdme. NECKER DE SAUSSURE

“He had the rare art of giving comfort, advice, and even blame with such humble gentleness, such entire freedom from any assumption of superiority, that it could not wound the sorest heart, nor irritate even the most rebellious spirit.”

From Life of F. W. Robertson.