As precious as life itself is our heritage of individual freedom, for man's free agency is a God-given gift.
David O. MckayRead
A man who cannot control his temper is not very likely to control his passions, and no matter what his pretensions in religion, he moves in daily life very close to the animal plane.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Self-control is essential for managing one's passions and higher aspirations.
This quote emphasizes the importance of controlling one's temper as a foundation for managing deeper emotions and passions. It suggests that without self-regulation, an individual risks living a life driven by instinctual, animalistic behaviors, regardless of their outward appearance of moral or religious superiority.
Themes
Self-ControlTemperPassionsWisdomEmotionReligion
In practice
Example use cases
During a leadership workshop, this quote can be used to illustrate the importance of emotional intelligence.
More from David O. Mckay
All quotes →The rising sun can dispel the darkness of night, but it cannot banish the blackness of malice, hatred, bigotry, and selfishness from the hearts of humanity.
David O. MckayRead
Motherhood is the one thing in all the world which most truly exemplifies the God-given virtues of creating and sacrificing. Though it carries the woman close to the brink of death, motherhood also leads her into the very realm of the fountains of life and makes her co-partner with the Creator in bestowing upon eternal spirits mortal life.
David O. MckayRead
It is possible to make home a bit of heaven; indeed, I picture heaven to be a continuation of the ideal home
David O. MckayRead
Happiness and peace will come to earth only as the light of love and human compassion enter the souls of men.
David O. MckayRead
Out of the homes of America will come the future citizens of America, and only as those homes are what they should be will this nation be what it should be.
David O. MckayRead
Similar quotes
As long as you ask questions you are breaking through, but the moment you begin to accept, you are psychologically dead. So right through life don't accept a thing, but inquire, investigate. Then you will find that your mind is something really extraordinary, it has no end, and to such a mind there is no death.
Jiddu KrishnamurtiRead
I'm not trying to counsel any of you to do anything really special except dare to think. And to dare to go with the truth. And to dare to really love completely.
R. Buckminster FullerRead
Who could be so lucky? Who comes to a lake for water and sees the reflection of moon.
RumiRead
Experiences aren't given to us to be 'got over,' otherwise they would hardly be experiences.
Penelope FitzgeraldRead
Who then is free? The wise man who can govern himself.
HoraceRead
Rule your mind with serenity rather than with force and manipulation.
LaoziRead