Self-Discipline and Self-Mastery
Shared across 7 traditions
Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism, Confucianism, Stoicism, Hinduism, Sikhism
Buddhism
Well-makers lead the water (wherever they like); fletchers bend the arrow; carpenters bend a log of wood; wise people fashion themselves.
The Dhammapada, v. 80, F. Max Müller (Sacred Books of the East, Vol. 10), 1881
Christianity
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
The Bible (King James Version), Proverbs 16:32, 1611
Taoism
He who lives looking for pleasures only, his senses uncontrolled, immoderate in his food, idle, and weak, Mâra (the tempter) will certainly overthrow him, as the wind throws down a weak tree. He who lives without looking for pleasures, his senses well controlled, moderate in his food, faithful and strong, him Mâra will certainly not overthrow, any more than the wind throws down a rocky mountain.
The Dhammapada, v. 7-8, F. Max Müller (Sacred Books of the East, Vol. 10), 1881
Confucianism
The philosopher Tsang said, "I daily examine myself on three points: whether, in transacting business for others, I may have been not faithful; whether, in intercourse with friends, I may have been not sincere; whether I may have not mastered and practiced the instructions of my teacher."
The Confucian Analects, bk. i, c. iv, James Legge, 1893
Stoicism
There are things which are within our power, and there are things which are beyond our power. Within our power are opinion, aim, desire, aversion, and, in one word, whatever affairs are our own. Beyond our power are body, property, reputation, office, and, in one word, whatever are not properly our own affairs.
The Enchiridion, ch. 1, Epictetus, Thomas W. Higginson translation, 1948
Hinduism
Not to commit any sin, to do good, and to purify one's mind, that is the teaching of (all) the Awakened.
The Dhammapada, v. 183, F. Max Müller (Sacred Books of the East, Vol. 10), 1881
Sikhism
Let self-control be the furnace, and patience the goldsmith. Let understanding be the anvil, and spiritual wisdom the tools. With the Fear of God as the bellows, fan the flames of tapa, the body's inner heat.
Shri Guru Granth Sahib, Japji section, anonymous English translation, 1877