Self-respect is the fruit of discipline, the sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself.
—Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907–72) American Jewish Rabbi
Over the times thou hast no power.—To redeem a world sunk in dishonesty has not been given thee. Solely over one man therein thou hast a quite absolute, uncontrollable power.—Him redeem and make honest.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
A little kingdom I possess,
Where thoughts and feelings dwell;
And very hard the task I find
Of governing it well.
—Louisa May Alcott (1832–88) American Novelist
If you do not conquer self, you will be conquered by self.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
Self-government is, indeed, the noblest rule on earth; the obj ect of a loftier ambition than the possession of crowns or sceptres. The truest conquest is where the soul is bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. The monarch of his own mind is the only real potentate.
—John Ciardi (1916–86) American Poet, Teacher, Etymologist, Translator
What man’s mind can create, man’s character can control.
—Thomas Edison (1847–1931) American Inventor, Scientist, Entrepreneur
It is the man who is cool and collected, who is master of his countenance, his voice, his actions, his gestures, of every part, who can work upon others at his pleasure.
—Denis Diderot (1713–84) French Philosopher, Writer
Conquer thyself. Till thou has done this, thou art but a slave; for it is almost as well to be subjected to another’s appetite as to thine own.
—Robert Burton (1577–1640) English Scholar, Clergyman
Abstainer: A weak person who yields to the temptation of denying himself a pleasure.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
Wouldst thou have thy flesh obey thy spirit? Then let thy spirit obey thy God. Thou must be governed, that thou may’st govern.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
The man who masters his own soul will forever be called conqueror of conquerors.
—Plautus (Titus Maccius Plautus) (c.250–184 BCE) Roman Comic Playwright
The best time for you to hold your tongue is the time you feel you must say something or bust. – Billings, Josh
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair.
—Chinese Proverb
About the only time losing is more fun than winning is when you’re fighting temptation.
—Tom Wilson (1931–2011) American Cartoonist
Do you want to know the man against whom you have most reason to guard yourself?. Your looking-glass will give you a very fair likeness of his face.
—Richard Whately (1787–1863) English Philosopher, Theologian
What are numbers knit
By force or custom? Man who man would be,
Must rule the empire of himself; in it
Must be supreme, establishing his throne
On vanquished will, quelling the anarchy
Of hopes and fears, being himself alone.
—Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822) English Poet, Dramatist, Essayist, Novelist
In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.
—Deepak Chopra (b.1946) Indian-born American Physician, Public Speaker, Writer
What government is the best? That which teaches us to govern ourselves.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
I am, indeed, a king, because I know how to rule myself.
—Pietro Aretino (1492–1556) Italian Poet, Dramatist, Satirist
When we direct our thoughts properly, we can control our emotions…
—W. Clement Stone (1902–2002) American Self-help Guru, Entrepreneur
There’s only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self. So you have to begin there, not outside, not on other people. That comes afterward, when you’ve worked on your own corner.
—Aldous Huxley (1894–1963) English Humanist, Pacifist, Satirist, Short Story Writer
You can’t always control the wind, but you can control your sails.
—Tony Robbins (b.1960) American Self-Help Author, Entrepreneur
To rule self and subdue our passions is the more praiseworthy because so few know how to do it.
—Francesco Guicciardini (1483–1540) Italian Historian, Statesman
If we resist our passions, it is more from their weakness than from our strength.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
For every man there exists a bait which he cannot resist swallowing.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
No man is free who is not master of himself.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
He who would govern others should first be master of himself.
—Philip Massinger (1583–1640) English Playwright
I am always with myself and it is I who am my tormentor.
—Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) Russian Novelist
He that lays down precepts for the government of our lives and moderating our passions, obliges human nature not only in the present but in all succeeding generations.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
No one can make you jealous, angry, vengeful, or greedy—unless you let him.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
Leave a Reply