The 128 most classic philosophical essays in the world

Chapter 54
[United States] Orison Madden

Self-conquest is the final and great triumph of man.

Plato said: "As far as man is concerned, the most important and most important victory is to conquer himself, and the most shameful and contemptible thing is to be conquered by his own selfish desires."

Self-control is the foundation of all virtues, and if a person succumbs to impulse and passion, he immediately gives up his moral freedom.

Do you have an irritable temper?If there is, a temporary outbreak will collapse the embankment of a thousand miles in an ant's nest and destroy the long-term accumulation.Sometimes an angry word can set off a long-lasting storm.Just one angry word can lose many of the lowered tones that suppress anger and prevent unpleasant emotions from developing.Many people died under the rage, and the bursts of anger also caused frequent outbreaks of diseases.Webster said, "Keep calm, for anger is not right." George Herbert said, "Debate calmly, for fury turns a lie into a blunder, and a truth into rudeness." Dagos said, "Anger begins with foolishness and ends with remorse." You should measure a man's inner strength by his ability to conquer his emotions, not by his power to conquer them.

Have you ever seen a man who was publicly insulted, only to turn pale, bite his trembling lips, and answer peacefully?Have you ever seen a man who was in great pain, yet controlled him like a statue hewn out of solid rock?Have you ever seen a man who suffers daily from despair, who remains silent, who never tells anyone that someone has broken the peace of his home?This is power.

They are such people: although they are full of passion, they can keep their self-discipline; Heroes of the spiritual world.

Self-conquest is the final and great triumph of man.

If a man loses self-control, he loses almost everything.Without self-control, there is no patience, no ability to manage himself, no self-reliance, no backbone, strength, and integrity.

Many people have no control over their emotions, they indulge their desires, and they are self-willed and unrestrained.There is no limit to sorrow or joy.The temperate man is not swayed by his emotions; he does not lose too much, his firm will overcomes depression, and he does not lose his spirit by momentary pleasures, for ecstasy and despair alike lead to unhappiness.Temper should be subordinated to reason and conscience.Many people use impatience as an excuse to excuse themselves for doing something wrong or stupid.But he who is in control of himself controls his temper, and turns his passions into motives for good rather than evil.Temper under control is an important force, which, judiciously coordinated, becomes the energy that drives work, as the heat of a steam engine is converted into the force that drives the wheels.

Heart mark notes
If enthusiasm is an important driving force that drives you to take action, self-control is the balance wheel that guides your actions.It helps you, not disrupts your actions.

Dante said: "The measure of a person's strength should be based on his self-control." Self-control is the essence of fortitude, the soul of character, and self-control is a rare virtue.People who are in control of their ego and control their emotions, desires, and fears are happier.The truly powerful people in the world are those who can demand themselves, guide themselves, and know self-control at any time.

(End of this chapter)