The Art of being Quiet I: Day 30 readings from "Character And Conduct" - January 30

Readings for January 30 from "Character And Conduct: A Book Of Helpful Thoughts by Great Writers of Past and Present Ages" selected and arranged for daily reading by Constance M. Whishaw.

"The Art of being Quiet"

Original text:

https://archive.org/details/characterandcon00unkngoog/page/n49/mode/2up
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/39648/39648-h/39648-h.htm#Page_30

Today's reading has no attribution, which may imply that Constance Whishaw is quoting herself.

Image:
From "Faithful unto Death" by Sir Edward John Poynter, 1865, based on this event described in Edward Bulwer-Lytton's "The Last Days of Pompeii" https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.261905/page/n455/mode/2up?q=the+roman+sentry

"The air was now still for a few minutes: the lamp from the gate streamed out far and clear: the fugitives hurried on—they gained the gate—they passed by the Roman sentry; the lightning flashed over his livid face and polished helmet, but his stern features were composed even in their awe! He remained erect and motionless at his post. That hour itself had not animated the machine of the ruthless majesty of Rome into the reasoning and self-acting man. There he stood, amidst the crashing elements: he had not received the permission to desert his station and escape."