“Emotional Control”

Emotional control or control of the self is the highest form of courage. It is the base of all the virtues. It is one of the most important, but one of the most difficult things for a powerful mind to be its own master. One who reigns within himself, and rules passions, desires, and fears, is more than a king.

In the supremacy of self-control consists one of the perfections of the ideal man. Not to be impulsive, not to be spurred here and there by each desire that in turn comes uppermost, but to be self-restrained, self balanced, and governed by the joint decision of the mental faculties in assembled council, before whom every action shall have been fully debated and calmly determined—this is true strength and wisdom. 

The state or nation that has the best government progresses most; so the individual who governs best himself makes the most rapid progress. The native energies of the human soul press it to activity; controlled, they bear it forward in right paths; uncontrolled, they urge it on to probable destruction.

Self control—control of the emotions is a virtue which will become ours if we cultivate it properly, if we strive right manfully for its possession; fight a bitter warfare against irritability, nervousness, Jealousy, and all unkindness of heart and soul. But it must be cultivated properly. One exercise of it will not win us the victory. We must, by constant repetition of efforts, obtain at last the victory which will bring us repose, which will enable us to say to the raging waves of passion, "Thus far canst thou come, and no farther." We must be faithful to ourselves, faithful in our watch and control over tongue, eye, and hand. It is only by so doing that man comes to the full development of his powers.