A little kingdom I possess, where thoughts and feelings dwell; And very hard the task I find of governing it well.
I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is over self.
The best time for you to hold your tongue is the time you feel you must say something or bust.
When the fight begins within himself, a man's worth something.
Prudent, cautious self-control, is wisdom's root.
Seek always for the answer within. Be not influenced by those around you, by their thoughts or their words
He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior.
The highest possible stage in moral culture is when we recognize that we ought to control our thoughts.
Not to have control over the senses is like sailing in a rudderless ship, bound to break to pieces on coming in contact with the very first rock.
We improve ourselves by victories over ourselves. There must be contest, and we must win.
Self-disciplined begins with the mastery of your thoughts. If you don't control what you think, you can't control what you do. Simply, self-discipline enables you to think first and act afterward.
He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.
— Lao-Tzu
Such power there is in clear-eyed self-restraint.
He that would govern others, first should be the master of himself.
Why are we so full of restraint? Why do we not give in all directions? Is it fear of losing ourselves? Until we do lose ourselves there is no hope of finding ourselves.
He who reins within himself and rules passions, desires, and fears is more than a king
He who cannot obey himself will be commanded. That is the nature of living creatures.
O, it is excellent to have a giant's strength, but it is tyrannous to use it like a giant.
I am always with myself and it is I who am my tormentor.
Govern thyself then you will be able to govern the world.
To enjoy freedom we have to control ourselves.