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
What a mistake those who do not hope make! Judas made a huge blunder the day in which he sold Christ for 30 denarii, but he made an even bigger one when he thought that his sin was too great to be forgiven. No sin is too big: any wretchedness, however great, can always be enclosed in infinite mercy.
Pope John Paul IRead
Certain things, certain events, seem inexplicable only for a time: up to the moment when the veil is torn aside.
Elie WieselRead
Don't condemn if you see a person has a dirty glass of water, just show them the clean glass of water that you have. When they inspect it, you won't have to say that yours is better." -said by Elijah Muhammad to Malcolm X
Malcolm XRead
True understanding is possible only when we are fully conscious of our thought, not as an operative observer on this thought, but completely and without the intervention of a choice.
Jiddu KrishnamurtiRead
One should not lose one's temper unless one is certain of getting more and more angry to the end.
William Butler YeatsRead
My heart is so small it's almost invisible. How can You place such big sorrows in it? "Look," He answered, "your eyes are even smaller, yet they behold the world.
RumiRead