Do you often find yourself grappling with life’s relentless demands and responsibilities? Ever feel like you’re lost amidst the whirlwind of our fast-paced, modern world?
We all do. In such periods of unrest, where does one seek a sense of order and control?
Well, for many, the answer lies within the ancient philosophy of Stoicism. Today, we explore some of the most poignant Stoic quotes on discipline.
Whether you’re battling your own habits or seeking to instill more discipline in your daily routine, these quotes are meant to inspire and guide you.
Stoic Quotes on discipline
“At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: ‘I have to go to work—as a human being. What do I have to complain of if I’m going to do what I was born for—the things I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?”
Marcus Aurelius
“First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.”
Epictetus
“Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.”
Marcus Aurelius
“Don’t explain your philosophy. Embody it.”
Epictetus
“Practice even what seems impossible. The left hand is useless at almost everything, for lack of practice. But it guides the reins better than the right. From practice.”
Marcus Aurelius
“It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult.”
Seneca
“A wrongdoer is often a man who has left something undone, not always one who has done something.”
Marcus Aurelius
“Putting things off is the biggest waste of life: it snatches away each day as it comes, and denies us the present by promising the future. The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow, and loses today. You are arranging what lies in Fortune’s control, and abandoning what lies in yours. What are you looking at? To what goal are you straining? The whole future lies in uncertainty: live immediately.”
Seneca
“No great thing is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig, I answer that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.”
Epictetus
“Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now, take what’s left and live it properly. What doesn’t transmit light creates its own darkness.”
Marcus Aurelius
“Perfection of character is this: to live each day as if it were your last, without frenzy, without apathy, without pretence.”
Marcus Aurelius
“Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body.”
Seneca
“A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.”
Seneca
“No man is free who is not master of himself.”
Epictetus
“The greatest remedy for anger is delay.”
Seneca
“Be tolerant with others and strict with yourself.”
Marcus Aurelius
“The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.”
Marcus Aurelius
“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
Marcus Aurelius
“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”
Marcus Aurelius
“How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself?”
Epictetus
7 key takeaways
01 Embrace Your Purpose: Marcus Aurelius reminds us that discipline begins with understanding our role in life. When we resist our responsibilities, we forget our purpose. By embracing our duties, we align with our nature and find motivation even in the mundane.
02 Action Over Words: Epictetus emphasizes that it is not enough to articulate what we aim to be; we must actively pursue it.
03 Immediate Action: Seneca warns against procrastination, highlighting how it steals the present moment from us. He advocates for immediate action, reminding us that the future is uncertain, and the only time we truly possess is now.
04 Practice Makes Perfect: The analogy by Marcus Aurelius about the left hand guiding the reins better than the right through practice underscores the transformative power of consistent effort. Discipline is honed through repetition, even in tasks that seem impossible at first.
05 Delayed Gratification: Epictetus’ metaphor of the fig illustrates the necessity of patience in the pursuit of excellence. Discipline involves enduring the process and waiting for things to come to fruition in their own time.
06 Strength Through Adversity: Seneca and Marcus Aurelius both reflect on how challenges and difficulties are integral to developing strength. Adversity is not to be shunned but embraced as a means of growth and improvement.
07 Inner Strength: Marcus Aurelius also highlights that we have power over our mind and not external events. Recognizing this can help us find strength in situations where we might feel powerless.
Integrating these principles into our lives can help cultivate a disciplined mind that can navigate the complexities of modern life with calm and purpose. Each quote offers a timeless piece of wisdom that, when applied, can lead to a more controlled and fulfilling existence.
Final Thoughts
I hope you found some wisdom in these words to apply to your own life.
For more daily doses of Stoic wisdom and insights, be sure to join our newsletter below and get more nuggets of knowledge delivered straight to your inbox.
Until next time, stay Stoic.
What would Marcus Aurelius say?
Unsure what to do next in your career? Struggling to move on from a failed relationship? Searching for more meaning in life?
Marcus Aurelius can tell you how to face your challenges in a more Stoic way.
Simply ask your question, and Marcus Aurelius will answer.
