The more disciplined you become, the easier life gets.
—Steve Pavlina (b.1971) American Motivational Speaker
Who loves well, chastises well.
—French Proverb
I forget who it was that recommended men for their soul’s good to do each day two things they disliked… . It is a precept I have followed scrupulously: for every day I have got up and I have gone to bed.
—W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) British Novelist, Short-Story Writer, Playwright
When things are steep, remember to stay level-headed.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
I see no hope for the future of our people if they are dependent on the frivolous youth of today, for certainly all youth are reckless beyond words. When I was a boy, we were taught to be discrete and respectful of elders, but the present youth are exceedingly wise and impatient of restraint.
—Hesiod (f.700 BCE) Greek Poet
That discipline which corrects the eagerness of worldly passions, which fortifies the heart with virtuous principles, which enlightens the mind with useful knowledge, and furnishes to it matter of enjoyment from within itself, is of more consequence to real felicity than all the provisions which we can make of the goods of fortune.
—Hugh Blair (1718–1800) Scottish Preacher, Scholar, Critic
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
The hope of a secure and liveable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
Man must be disciplined, for he is by nature raw and wild.
—Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) Prussian German Philosopher, Logician
Brave is the lion tamer, brave is the world subduer, but braver is the one who has subdued himself.
—Johann Gottfried Herder (1744–1803) German Critic, Poet, Philosopher
Most of us spend our lives as if we had another one in the bank.
—Unknown
The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Anybody who gets away with something will come back to get away with a little bit more.
—Harold C. Schonberg (1915–2003) American Music Critic
I define self-control, in the beginning of life, as the choice of achieving what I really want by doing things I really don’t want to do. Once this becomes a habit, discipline becomes the choice of achieving what I really want by doing the very things I now want to do! I really believe that a disciplined life becomes a joy—but only after we have worked hard to practice it.
—John C. Maxwell (b.1947) American Author, Speaker, Pastor
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
Good discipline requires time. When we have no time to give our children, or no time that we are willing to give, we don’t even observe them closely enough to become aware of when their need for our disciplinary assistance is expressed subtley.
—M. Scott Peck (1936–2005) American Psychiatrist, Author
If you once turn on your side after the hour at which you ought to rise, it is all over. Bolt up at once.
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody else expects of you. Never excuse yourself. Never pity yourself. Be a hard master to yourself—and be lenient to everybody else.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
He who requires much from himself and little from others, will keep himself from being the object of resentment.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
I learned about the strength you can get from a close family life. I learned to keep going, even in bad times. I learned not to despair, even when my world was falling apart. I learned that there are no free lunches. And I learned the value of hard work.
—Lee Iacocca (1924–2019) American Businessperson
First we form habits, then they form us. Conquer your bad habits, or they’ll eventually conquer you.
—Rob Gilbert (b.1966) American Animator, Cartoonist
Self-command is the main discipline.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Discipline is not a nasty word.
—Pat Riley (b.1945) American Basketball Player, Coach
Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
I think that, for all of us, as we grow older, we must discipline ourselves to continue expanding, broadening, learning, keeping our minds active and open.
—Clint Eastwood (b.1930) American Film Director, Film Producer, Film Actor
A stern discipline pervades all nature, which is a little cruel that it may be very kind.
—Edmund Spenser (1552–99) English Poet
Restraint and discipline and examples of virtue and justice. These are the things that form the education of the world.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
No horse gets anywhere until he is harnessed. No steam or gas ever drives anything until it is confined. No Niagara is ever turned into light and power until it is tunneled. No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated, disciplined.
—Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878–1969) American Baptist Minister
Lack of discipline leads to frustration and self-loathing.
—Marie Chapian (b.1938) American Christian Writer, Psychotherapist
We learn to curb our will and keep our overt actions within the bounds of humanity, long before we can subdue our sentiments and imaginations to the same mild tone.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
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