personal governance Quotes

Alexander esteemed it more kingly to govern himself than to conquer his enemies.

The greatest power of ruling consists in the exercise of self-control.

First get an absolute conquest over thyself, and then thou wilt easily govern thy wife.

Man who man would be, must rule the empire of himself.

The good man is he who rules himself as he does his own property: his autonomous being is modelled on material power.

Our view is that individuals and families can govern their lives better than bureaucrats.

No man is fit to command another that cannot command himself.

Great battles are really won before they are actually fought. To control our passions we must govern our habits, and keep watch over ourselves in the small details of everyday life.

Since I cannot govern my own tongue, though within my own teeth, how can I hope to govern the tongue of others?

The right of self-government does not comprehend the government of others.

A little kingdom I possess, where thoughts and feelings dwell; And very hard the task I find of governing it well.

Perhaps one of the most important accomplishments of my administration has been minding my own business.

How can I govern others, who can't even govern myself?

As we become civilized we are governed less by persons and more by principles. . . . The best of all leaders is the man who teaches people to lead themselves.

Up to this moment I have been pleased to entrust the government of my affairs to the late Cardinal. It is now time that I govern them myself. You [secretaries and ministers of state] will assist me with your counsels when I ask for them. I request and order you to seal no orders except by my command, . . . I order you not to sign anything, not even a passport . . . without my command; to render account to me personally each day and to favor no one.