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Acquire a government over your ideas, that they may come down when they are called, and depart when they are bidden.
Isaac Watts
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Master your thoughts to control your mind and actions effectively.

This quote emphasizes the importance of having control over one's thoughts and ideas. By acquiring governance over our ideas, we can summon them when needed and let them go when they are no longer relevant, which ultimately leads to greater mental clarity and purpose.

Themes

ThoughtsControlIdeasMindClarity

In practice

Example use cases

During a motivational speech about personal development.

More from Isaac Watts

Instructors should not only be skilful in those sciences which they teach, but have skill in the method of teaching, and patience in the practice.
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Acquaint yourself with your own ignorance.
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To prevent and suppress rising resentment is wise and glorious, is manly and divine.
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Kind words toward those you daily meet, Kind words and actions right, Will make this life of ours most sweet, Turn darkness into night.
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Though reading and conversation may furnish us with many ideas of men and things, yet it is our own meditation must form our judgment.
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Two sentiments alone suffice for man, were he to live the age of the rocks - love, and the contemplation of the Deity.
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