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Quotes about Self-control

All men commend patience, although few are willing to practice it.
— Thomas a Kempis
Be not angry that you cannot make another what you wish them to be; since you cannot make yourself what you wish to be.
— Thomas a Kempis
Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.
— Thomas a Kempis
It is not really a small thing when in small things we resist self.
— Thomas a Kempis
At the least, bear patiently, if thou canst not joyfully. And although thou be very unwilling to hear it, and feel indignation, yet check thyself, and suffer no unadvised word to come forth from thy lips, whereby the little ones may be offended. Soon the storm which hath been raised shall be stilled, and inward grief shall be sweetened by returning grace.
— Thomas a Kempis
It is a hard thing to break through a habit and a yet harder thing to go contrary to our own will. Yet if thou overcome not slight and easy obstacles how wilt thou overcome greater ones Withstand thy will at the beginning and unlearn an evil habit lest it lead thee little by little into worse difficulties. Oh if thou knewest what peace to thyself thy holy life should bring ...and what joy to others methinketh thou wouldst be more zealous for spiritual profit.
— Thomas a Kempis
Two things especially lead to great improvement: the will to drag yourself from the things that will naturally harm you and the desire to pursue the good things that you need the most. You should also watch out for those things that irritate you in other people; when you see them in yourself, get rid of them. Turn everything to your advantage.
— Thomas a Kempis
No man can safely speak, unless he who would gladly remain silent.
— Thomas a Kempis
Grant to me a humble and quiet spirit, one that is never uncontrolled or garrulous.
— Thomas a Kempis
not thyself to attain much rest, but much patience.
— Thomas a Kempis
It is a hard thing to break through a habit, and a yet harder thing to go contrary to our own will. Yet if thou overcome not slight and easy obstacles, how shalt thou overcome greater ones? Withstand thy will at the beginning, and unlearn an evil habit, lest it lead thee little by little into worse difficulties. Oh, if thou knewest what peace to thyself thy holy life should bring to thyself, and what joy to others, methinketh thou wouldst be more zealous for spiritual profit.
— Thomas a Kempis
Temperance is simply a disposition of the mind which binds the passion.
— St. Thomas Aquinas