Rene Descartes Quotes

Not being able to govern events, I govern myself.

It is not only by one's impulses that one achieves greatness, but also by patiently filing away the steel wall that separates what one feels from what one is capable of doing.

You can learn not to want what you want, to recognize desires but not be controlled by them.

You have two choices: to control your mind or to let your mind control you.

Character isn't inherited. One builds it daily by the way one thinks and acts, thought by thought, action by action. If one lets fear or hate or anger take possession of the mind, they become self-forged chains.

Training the will in trivial and grave matters increases its strength and flexibility, and enables man to constantly strive and persevere.

Self-discipline, as a virtue or an acquired asset, can be invaluable to anyone.

Self-discipline, although difficult, and not always easy while combating negative emotions, should be a defensive measure.

Some men, who begin by saying that the world is a hell, often end by saying that it is a heaven when they succeed in the practice of self-control.

Even those who have the weakest souls could acquire absolute mastery over all their passions if we employed sufficient ingenuity in training and guiding them.

Self-discipline is the golden key; without it, you cannot be happy.

We are the masters of our fate, the captains of our souls, because we have the power to control our thoughts.

Self-discipline is crucial to a simpler, more contented life.

True freedom is impossible without a mind made free by discipline.

If you set out to seek freedom, then learn above all things to govern your soul and your senses . . . only through discipline may a man learn to be free.

Little hearts, little souls give little lusts big power. Big hearts give little lusts little power.

You cannot always control what goes on outside. But you can always control what goes on inside.

Your hands, your eyes, your voice, your thoughts are your servants.

On those days when you don't want to get up, I think, I'm going to get through my entire practice without saying how tired I am or I try not to complain just because I was in a bad mood when I woke up. Even if it's not perfect and I slip up, I can catch myself and make myself of aware of where my mental space is at and move on.

Something I learned early in college (is) to not worry about what I can't controlBut what I can control is my attitude, my effort, my focus every single day and that's what I'm trying to worry about.

Self-control is only courage under another form. It may also be regarded as the primary essence of character.

Restraint never ruins one's health. What ruins it,is not restraint but outward suppression. A really self-restrained person grows every day from strength to strength and from peace to more peace. The very first step in self-restraint is the restraint of thoughts.

Self conquest is the greatest of victories.

Some form of self-discipline is necessary to transmute material desires into spiritual aspirations.

If you fail to control your own mind, you may be sure you will control nothing else.