He that would govern others, first should be the master of himself, richly endued with depth of understanding and height of knowledge.
—Philip Massinger (1583–1640) English Playwright
There is a certain combination of anarchy and discipline in the way I work.
—Robert De Niro (b.1943) American Actor, Film Director, Film Producer
Without discipline, there’s no life at all.
—Katharine Hepburn (1907–2003) American Actor, TV Personality
There are always two choices. Two paths to take. One is easy. And its only reward is that it’s easy.
—Unknown
It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.
—Buddhist Teaching
What lies in our power to do, lies in our power not to do.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
Everybody starts at the top, and then has the problem of staying there. Lasting accomplishment, however, is still achieved through a long, slow climb and self-discipline.
—Helen Hayes (1900–93) American Actor, Philanthropist
The great end of education is to discipline rather than to furnish the mind; to train it to the use of its own powers, rather than fill it with the accumulations of others.
—Tryon Edwards American Theologian
Cheerfulness, in most cheerful people, is the rich and satisfying result of strenuous discipline.
—Edwin Percy Whipple (1819–86) American Literary Critic
Self-command is the main elegance.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Self-control is the quality that distinguishes the fittest to survive.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
If we don’t discipline ourselves, the world will do it for us.
—William Feather (1889–1981) American Publisher, Author
He who reins within himself and rules passions, desires, and fears is more than a king.
—John Milton (1608–74) English Poet, Civil Servant, Scholar, Debater
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
Most of us spend our lives as if we had another one in the bank.
—Unknown
Self-conquest is really self-surrender. Yet before we can surrender ourselves we must become ourselves. For no one can give up what he does not possess.
—Thomas Merton (1915–68) American Trappist Monk
The time is always right to do what’s right.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
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
Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
He that would be superior to external influences must first become superior to his own passions.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Discipline is based on pride, on meticulous attention to details, and on mutual respect and confidence. Discipline must be a habit so ingrained that it is stronger than the excitement of the goal or the fear of failure.
—Gary Ryan Blair
Hard work pays off. When someone tells you otherwise, beware the sales pitch for something “fast and easy” that’s about to come next. The greater your capacity for hard work, the more rewards fall within your grasp. The deeper you can dig, the more treasure you can potentially find.
—Steve Pavlina (b.1971) American Motivational Speaker
The ability to make yourself do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
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
Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound. The man who does not shrink from self-crucifixion can never fail to accomplish the object upon which his heart is set. This is true of earthly as of heavenly things. Even the man whose object is to acquire wealth must be prepared to make great personal sacrifices before he can accomplish his object; and how much more so he who would realize a strong and well-poised life.
—James Allen (1864–1912) British Philosophical Writer
Discipline must come through liberty. . . . We do not consider an individual disciplined only when he has been rendered as artificially silent as a mute and as immovable as a paralytic. He is an individual annihilated, not disciplined.
—Maria Montessori (1870–1952) Italian Physician, Educator
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, Essayist, Short Story Writer, Satirist
The more disciplined you become, the easier life gets.
—Steve Pavlina (b.1971) American Motivational Speaker
He is strong who conquers others; He who conquers himself is mighty.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
Nothing can be more hurtful to the service, than the neglect of discipline; for that discipline, more than numbers, gives one army the superiority over another.
—George Washington (1732–99) American Head of State, Military Leader