Jean-Jacques Burlamaqui Quotes

All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.

Patience means restraining one's inclinations.

Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired, but by controlling the desire.

We say no to lots of things that would please us. I would like to punch people every now and then, but I don't. I would like to have something for free rather than pay for it. I would like to skip to the front of the line... I don't mean to brush aside the taste of meat, which is a powerful attraction. But its power is not without limit.

I need to rein myself in sometimes.

Temperance is a mean with regard to pleasures.

Only actions give life strength; only moderation gives it charm.

A person in my position has to restrain himself.

Moderation is the silken string running through the pearl chain of all virtues.

Wisdom does not show itself so much in precept as in life - in firmness of mind and a mastery of appetite. It teaches us to do as well as to talk; and to make our words and actions all of a color.

Temperance is simply a disposition of the mind which binds the passion.

A well-governed appetite is the greater part of liberty.

I wasn't blessed with the natural ability to rein myself in.

When I was on the bench, I used to have a yellow pad, and I put on the pad at the beginning of the day, 'patience' and 'restraint.'

To enjoy freedom ... we have of course to control ourselves. We must not squander our powers, helplessly and ignorantly, squirting half the house in order to water a single rose.

Start the practice of self-control with some penance; begin with fasting.

How shall I be able to rule over others, that have not full power and command of myself?

Anyone who seeks to destroy the passions instead of controlling them is trying to play the angel.

I have to think of moderation, which is not a word that's in my vocabulary. But I try.

Moderation has been called a virtue to limit the ambition of great men, and to console undistinguished people for their want of fortune and their lack of merit.

I have to reign myself in a lot.

It is his restraint that is honorable to a person, not their liberty.

I am pretty controlled I have to say.

Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands - and then eat just one of the pieces.

There's no credit in not doing what you don't want to do. There's no virtue in not falling, when you're not tempted.