---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Discipline must be a habit so ingrained…"
description: "\"Discipline must be a habit so ingrained that it is stronger than the excitement of battle.\" — George S. Patton"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/688/george-s-patton-1770_battle_discipline-must-be-a-habit-so-ingrained_185565.jpg"
---

#  Discipline must be a habit so ingrained that it is…

![“Discipline must be a habit so ingrained that it is stronger than the excitement of battle.” quote by George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/688/george-s-patton-1770_battle_discipline-must-be-a-habit-so-ingrained_185565.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/688/george-s-patton-1770_battle_discipline-must-be-a-habit-so-ingrained_185565.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/688/george-s-patton-1770_battle_discipline-must-be-a-habit-so-ingrained_185565.jpg)

> “Discipline must be a habit so ingrained that it is stronger than the excitement of battle.”

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Discipline should become an automatic habit that outweighs fleeting excitement.

**In simple terms:** Discipline beats excitement.

Key Takeaway

Build habits that outlast impulses.

Themes

discipline habit self‑control

Mood

determined serious

Type

motivational practical

When to use this quote

- military training
- daily routines
- sports practice
- academic study

Key Concepts

psychology habit formation willpower

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you make discipline feel rewarding?
- What triggers your excitement that undermines discipline?

A Different Perspective

Habits can be hard to form without clear rewards.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Battle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle/) [Daily discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/daily-discipline/) [Discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) [Excitement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excitement/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Mutual respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mutual-respect/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/)

## Related quotes

> [Discipline is based on pride, on meticulous attention to details, and on mutual respect and confidence. Discipline must be a habit so ingrained that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-ryan-blair/discipline-is-based-on-pride-on-meticulous-attention-to-details-and/)

[Gary Ryan Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-ryan-blair/)

> [All I know is that, thanks to a sort of habit which has always been ingrained in me, I have never, at any moment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-teilhard-de-chardin/all-i-know-is-that-thanks-to-a-sort-of-habit-which-has-always-been/)

[Pierre Teilhard de Chardin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-teilhard-de-chardin/)

> [“I was such a smart kid, I should have figured out that the only way to really get my parents’ attention was to disappoint…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/i-was-such-a-smart-kid-i-should-have-figured-out-that-the-only-way-to/)

[Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/)

> [Discipline is the habit of taking consistent action until one can perform with unconscious competence. Discipline weighs ounces but regret weighs tons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jhoon-goo-rhee/discipline-is-the-habit-of-taking-consistent-action-until-one-can/)

Jhoon Goo Rhee

> [With prayer, you may be able to start one discipline or habit that will overflow into many more positive, God-honoring traits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/with-prayer-you-may-be-able-to-start-one-discipline-or-habit-that/)

[Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/)

> [“Self-respect is a discipline, a habit of mind that can never be faked but can be developed, trained, coaxed forth. It was once suggested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/self-respect-is-a-discipline-a-habit-of-mind-that-can-never-be-faked/)

[Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/)

> [“Developing a routine of predictable, daily disciplines prepares you to be victorious on the battlefield of life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/developing-a-routine-of-predictable-daily-disciplines-prepares-you-to/)

[Darren Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hardy/)

> [Success is created through the performance of a few small daily disciplines that stack up over time to produce achievements far beyond anything you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/success-is-created-through-the-performance-of-a-few-small-daily/)

[Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/)

> [I suppose the daily disciplines are just a reflection of the qualities of my inner world - a mixture of paralysis and terror and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/i-suppose-the-daily-disciplines-are-just-a-reflection-of-the/)

[Miranda July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/)

> [Discipleship is a daily discipline; we follow Jesus a step at a time, a day at a time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/discipleship-is-a-daily-discipline-we-follow-jesus-a-step-at-a-time-a/)

[Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/)

> [“One form of perseverance is the daily discipline of trying to do things better than we did yesterday. So,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/one-form-of-perseverance-is-the-daily-discipline-of-trying-to-do/)

[Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/)

> [“Growth is not a destination; it is a daily discipline.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/itayi-garande/growth-is-not-a-destination-it-is-a-daily-discipline/)

[Itayi Garande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/itayi-garande/)

> [“I want you to know in your bones that your only path to success is through a continuum of mundane, unsexy, unexciting, and sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/i-want-you-to-know-in-your-bones-that-your-only-path-to-success-is/)

[Darren Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hardy/)

> [“Simple daily disciplines—little productive actions, repeated consistently over time—add up to the difference between failure and success. The slight edge is relentless and cuts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/simple-daily-disciplines-little-productive-actions-repeated-2/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Simple daily disciplines—little productive actions, repeated consistently over time—add up to the difference between failure and success.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-olson/simple-daily-disciplines-little-productive-actions-repeated/)

[Jeff Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-olson/)

## More by George S. Patton

> [Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of the men who follow and of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/wars-may-be-fought-with-weapons-but-they-are-won-by-men-it-is-the/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [America loves a winner, and will not tolerate a loser, this is why America has never, and will never, lose a war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/america-loves-a-winner-and-will-not-tolerate-a-loser-this-is-why/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [We must guard against becoming so engrossed in the specific nature of the roots and bark of the trees of knowledge as to miss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/we-must-guard-against-becoming-so-engrossed-in-the-specific-nature-of/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [Successful generals make plans to fit circumstances, but do not try to create circumstances to fit plans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/successful-generals-make-plans-to-fit-circumstances-but-do-not-try-to/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [There is a time to take counsel of your fears, and there is a time to never listen to any fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/there-is-a-time-to-take-counsel-of-your-fears-and-there-is-a-time-to/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [Watch what people are cynical about, and one can often discover what they lack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/watch-what-people-are-cynical-about-and-one-can-often-discover-what/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [In the space of two days I had evolved two plans, wholly distinct, both of which were equally feasible. The point I am trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/in-the-space-of-two-days-i-had-evolved-two-plans-wholly-distinct-both/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [The leader must be an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/the-leader-must-be-an-actor/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [Most battles are won before they are ever fought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/most-battles-are-won-before-they-are-ever-fought/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [Battle... brings out all that is best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/battle-brings-out-all-that-is-best/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [Sure, we want to go home. We want this war over with. The quickest way to get it over with is to go get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/sure-we-want-to-go-home-we-want-this-war-over-with-the-quickest-way/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [The time to take counsel of your fears is before you make an important battle decision. That's the time to listen to every fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/the-time-to-take-counsel-of-your-fears-is-before-you-make-an/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [A man must know his destiny. if he does not recognize it, then he is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/a-man-must-know-his-destiny-if-he-does-not-recognize-it-then-he-is/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [Urge all of your men to pray, not alone in church, but everywhere. Pray when driving. Pray when fighting. Pray alone. Pray with others.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/urge-all-of-your-men-to-pray-not-alone-in-church-but-everywhere-pray/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [If I win I can't be stopped! If I lose I shall be dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/if-i-win-i-can-t-be-stopped-if-i-lose-i-shall-be-dead/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

[Explore all 208 George S. Patton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

## More Battle quotes

> [In the battle for police reform, accountability and justice, Americans don't have to re-invent the wheel. We just have to revoke the thing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-johnson/in-the-battle-for-police-reform-accountability-and-justice-americans/)

[Jason Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-johnson/)

> [This is, for an accomplished Latino, an accomplished African American, an accomplished anyone who disproves stereotypes, it's a constant battle in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-sotomayor/this-is-for-an-accomplished-latino-an-accomplished-african-american/)

[Sonia Sotomayor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-sotomayor/)

> [“Which people take the time to care for their souls, these days? I reckon not many. But...hear this: I think that maybe in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-fletcher/which-people-take-the-time-to-care-for-their-souls-these-days-i/)

[Susan Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-fletcher/)

> [Only great and general battles can produce great results](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/only-great-and-general-battles-can-produce-great-results/)

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/)

> [Life is a battle of wits, and many people have to fight it unarmed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-esar/life-is-a-battle-of-wits-and-many-people-have-to-fight-it-unarmed/)

[Evan Esar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-esar/)

> [Pain held no terror for him. Pain was, if not friend, then family, something he had grown up with in his crèche, learning to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paolo-bacigalupi/pain-held-no-terror-for-him-pain-was-if-not-friend-then-family/)

[Paolo Bacigalupi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paolo-bacigalupi/)

> [There's little in taking or giving, There's little in water or wine: This living, this living, this living, Was never a project of mine.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-parker/there-s-little-in-taking-or-giving-there-s-little-in-water-or-wine/)

[Dorothy Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-parker/)

> [When I step into the batters box. The fans, the noise, the cheers, they all disappear. For that moment, the world is just a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/when-i-step-into-the-batters-box-the-fans-the-noise-the-cheers-they/)

[Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/)

> [I knew Jimmy Dean. He tested for 'Battle Cry'. Paul Newman tested for 'Battle Cry'. I did nine tests to finally get that role.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tab-hunter/i-knew-jimmy-dean-he-tested-for-battle-cry-paul-newman-tested-for/)

[Tab Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tab-hunter/)

> [“When we let go of our battles and open our heart to things as they are, then we come to rest in the present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/when-we-let-go-of-our-battles-and-open-our-heart-to-things-as-they/)

[Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/)

> [Love is a battle," said Marie-Claude, still smiling. "And I plan to go on fighting. To the end." Love is a battle?" said Franz.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/love-is-a-battle-said-marie-claude-still-smiling-and-i-plan-to-go-on/)

[Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/)

> [It's almost ironic sitting here watching stories about Norm's courageous 'battle' with cancer. He actually did a bit on stage about how stupid that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-macdonald/it-s-almost-ironic-sitting-here-watching-stories-about-norm-s/)

[Neil Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-macdonald/)

> [“Other folk thought the Rage was simple bloodlust, a berserk savagery that neither knew nor cared what its target was, and so it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-weber/other-folk-thought-the-rage-was-simple-bloodlust-a-berserk-savagery/)

[David Weber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-weber/)

> [The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-millett/the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imposition-of-male-authority/)

[Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-millett/)

> [For many people it's Facebook, or sports on TV, whatever it is. I have my own demons that I battle. But whatever they are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-walter/for-many-people-it-s-facebook-or-sports-on-tv-whatever-it-is-i-have/)

[Jess Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-walter/)

[Browse all 4,526 Battle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Discipline must be a habit so ingrained that it is stronger than the excitement of battle.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "George S. Patton"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/discipline-must-be-a-habit-so-ingrained-that-it-is-stronger-than-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Battle"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/discipline-must-be-a-habit-so-ingrained-that-it-is-stronger-than-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/688/george-s-patton-1770_battle_discipline-must-be-a-habit-so-ingrained_185565.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/688/george-s-patton-1770_battle_discipline-must-be-a-habit-so-ingrained_185565.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/688/george-s-patton-1770_battle_discipline-must-be-a-habit-so-ingrained_185565.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Discipline must be a habit so ingrained that it is stronger than the excitement of battle.” — George S. Patton",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "George S. Patton",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Discipline must be a habit so...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/discipline-must-be-a-habit-so-ingrained-that-it-is-stronger-than-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/discipline-must-be-a-habit-so-ingrained-that-it-is-stronger-than-the/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
