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without it。
Self…control is at the root of all the virtues。 Let a man give
the reins to his impulses and passions； and from that moment he
yields up his moral freedom。 He is carried along the current
of life； and becomes the slave of his strongest desire for
the time being。
To be morally freeto be more than an animalman must be able
to resist instinctive impulse； and this can only be done by the
exercise of self…control。 Thus it is this power which constitutes
the real distinction between a physical and a moral life； and that
forms the primary basis of individual character。
In the Bible praise is given； not to the strong man who 〃taketh a
city；〃 but to the stronger man who 〃ruleth his own spirit。〃 This
stronger man is he who； by discipline； exercises a constant
control over his thoughts； his speech； and his acts。 Nine…tenths
of the vicious desires that degrade society； and which； when
indulged； swell into the crimes that disgrace it； would shrink
into insignificance before the advance of valiant self…discipline；
self…respect； and self…control。 By the watchful exercise of these
virtues； purity of heart and mind become habitual； and the
character is built up in chastity； virtue； and temperance。
The best support of character will always be found in habit；
which； according as the will is directed rightly or wrongly； as
the case may be； will prove either a benignant ruler or a cruel
despot。 We may be its willing subject on the one hand； or its
servile slave on the other。 It may help us on the road to good；
or it may hurry us on the road to ruin。
Habit is formed by careful training。 And it is astonishing how
much can be accomplished by systematic discipline and drill。 See
how； for instance； out of the most unpromising materialssuch as
roughs picked up in the streets； or raw unkempt country lads taken
from the ploughsteady discipline and drill will bring out the
unsuspected qualities of courage； endurance； and self…sacrifice；
and how； in the field of battle； or even on the more trying
occasions of perils by seasuch as the burning of the SARAH
SANDS or the wreck of the BIRKENHEADsuch men； carefully
disciplined； will exhibit the unmistakable characteristics of true
bravery and heroism！
Nor is moral discipline and drill less influential in the
formation of character。 Without it； there will be no proper
system and order in the regulation of the life。 Upon it depends
the cultivation of the sense of self…respect； the education of the
habit of obedience； the development of the idea of duty。 The most
self…reliant； self…governing man is always under discipline： and
the more perfect the discipline； the higher will be his moral
condition。 He has to drill his desires； and keep them in
subjection to the higher powers of his nature。 They must obey the
word of command of the internal monitor； the conscience
otherwise they will be but the mere slaves of their inclinations；
the sport of feeling and impulse。
〃In the supremacy of self…control；〃 says Herbert Spencer；
〃consists one of the perfections of the ideal man。 Not to be
impulsivenot to be spurred hither and thither by each desire
that in turn comes uppermostbut to be self…restrained； self…
balanced； governed by the joint decision of the feelings in
council assembled； before whom every action shall have been fully
debated and calmly determinedthat it is which education； moral
education at least； strives to produce。〃 （1）
The first seminary of moral discipline； and the best； as we have
already shown； is the home； next comes the school； and after that
the world； the great school of practical life。 Each is
preparatory to the other； and what the man or woman becomes；
depends for the most part upon what has gone before。 If they have
enjoyed the advantage of neither the home nor the school； but
have been allowed to grow up untrained； untaught； and
undisciplined； then woe to themselveswoe to the society
of which they form part！
The best…regulated home is always that in which the discipline is
the most perfect； and yet where it is the least felt。 Moral
discipline acts with the force of a law of nature。 Those subject
to it yield themselves to it unconsciously； and though it shapes
and forms the whole character； until the life becomes crystallized
in habit； the influence thus exercised is for the most part unseen
and almost unfelt。
The importance of strict domestic discipline is curiously
illustrated by a fact mentioned in Mrs。 Schimmelpenninck's
Memoirs； to the following effect： that a lady who； with her
husband； had inspected most of the lunatic asylums of England and
the Continent； found the most numerous class of patients was
almost always composed of those who had been only children； and
whose wills had therefore rarely been thwarted or disciplined in
early life； whilst those who were members of large families； and
who had been trained in self…discipline； were far less frequent
victims to the malady。
Although the moral character depends in a great degree on
temperament and on physical health； as well as on domestic and
early training and the example of companions； it is also in the
power of each individual to regulate； to restrain； and to
discipline it by watchful and persevering self…control。 A
competent teacher has said of the propensities and habits； that
they are as teachable as Latin and Greek； while they are much more
essential to happiness。
Dr。 Johnson； though himself constitutionally prone to melancholy；
and afflicted by it as few have been from his earliest years； said
that 〃a man's being in a good or bad humour very much depends upon
his will。〃 We may train ourselves in a habit of patience and
contentment on the one hand； or of grumbling and discontent on the
other。 We may accustom ourselves to exaggerate small evils； and
to underestimate great blessings。 We may even become the victim
of petty miseries by giving way to them。 Thus； we may educate
ourselves in a happy disposition； as well as in a morbid one。
Indeed； the habit of viewing things cheerfully； and of thinking
about life hopefully； may be made to grow up in us like any other
habit。 （2） It was not an exaggerated estimate of Dr。 Johnson to
say； that the habit of looking at the best side of any event is
worth far more than a thousand pounds a year。
Th religious man's life is pervaded by rigid self…discipline and
self…restraint。 He is to be sober and vigilant； to eschew evil
and do good； to walk in the spirit； to be obedient unto death； to
withstand in the evil day； and having done all； to stand； to
wrestle against spiritual wickedness； and against the rulers of
the darkness of this world； to be rooted and built up in faith；
and not to be weary of well…doing； for in due season he shall
reap； if he faint not。
The man of business also must needs be subject to strict rule and
system。 Business； like life； is managed by mora