--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You cannot be disciplined in great things…" description: "\"You cannot be disciplined in great things and undisciplined in small things.\" — George S. Patton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb5/george-s-patton-1770_discipline_you-cannot-be-disciplined-in-great-thing_902663.jpg" --- # You cannot be disciplined in great things and… ![“You cannot be disciplined in great things and undisciplined in small things.” quote by George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb5/george-s-patton-1770_discipline_you-cannot-be-disciplined-in-great-thing_902663.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb5/george-s-patton-1770_discipline_you-cannot-be-disciplined-in-great-thing_902663.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb5/george-s-patton-1770_discipline_you-cannot-be-disciplined-in-great-thing_902663.jpg) > “You cannot be disciplined in great things and undisciplined in small things.” [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. Highlights that discipline must be consistent across all tasks, big or small. **In simple terms:** Discipline must be uniform. Key Takeaway Apply discipline everywhere. Themes discipline consistency leadership character Mood motivational stern Type instructional philosophical When to use this quote - military training - personal development - workplace management Key Concepts habit formation self‑control Questions to Reflect On - How can you enforce discipline in daily habits? - What impact does inconsistency have on larger goals? A Different Perspective Small tasks may seem trivial. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) [Great things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-things/) [Small things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/small-things/) ## Related quotes > [You cannot be disciplined in great things and undisciplined in small things. Brave undisciplined men have no chance against the discipline and valour of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-cannot-be-disciplined-in-great-things-and-undisciplined-in-small-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I have always believed that the way my parents disciplined me has a great deal to do with the success I have enjoyed as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-peterson/i-have-always-believed-that-the-way-my-parents-disciplined-me-has-a/) [Adrian Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-peterson/) > [It doesn't seem like it, but I would never do anything that wasn't prepared or planned. You have to be the most disciplined performer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soupy-sales/it-doesn-t-seem-like-it-but-i-would-never-do-anything-that-wasn-t/) [Soupy Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soupy-sales/) > [Only the disciplined ones in life are free. If you are undisciplined, you are a slave to your moods and your passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliud-kipchoge/only-the-disciplined-ones-in-life-are-free-if-you-are-undisciplined/) [Eliud Kipchoge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliud-kipchoge/) > [It's so easy to be undisciplined. And to be disciplined is so against my character, my general nature anyway, that I have to strain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-rauschenberg/it-s-so-easy-to-be-undisciplined-and-to-be-disciplined-is-so-against/) [Robert Rauschenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-rauschenberg/) > [You know, we're the most undisciplined generation the world has ever knownhow many of you are disciplined? How many go to bed at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-ravenhill/you-know-we-re-the-most-undisciplined-generation-the-world-has-ever/) [Leonard Ravenhill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-ravenhill/) > [A disciplined mind leads to happiness, and an undisciplined mind leads to suffering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-disciplined-mind-leads-to-happiness-and-an-undisciplined-mind-leads/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Boys get unfairly labeled as morally defective, hyperactive, undisciplined, or 'problem children,' when quite often the problem is not with the boys but with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-gurian/boys-get-unfairly-labeled-as-morally-defective-hyperactive/) [Michael Gurian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-gurian/) > [The heart is not the source of negative feelings. It is the undisciplined mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-randymar/the-heart-is-not-the-source-of-negative-feelings-it-is-the/) [Joel Randymar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-randymar/) > [I just took part in this camp as there was nothing better for me to do. They also didn't draft me because they thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-oneill/i-just-took-part-in-this-camp-as-there-was-nothing-better-for-me-to/) [Ed ONeill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-oneill/) > [It's possible that the clowning and the buffoonery and the entertainment are a bigger part of what's happening than we've allowed. And that Trump…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-chait/it-s-possible-that-the-clowning-and-the-buffoonery-and-the/) [Jonathan Chait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-chait/) > [I'm a fairly undisciplined writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/i-m-a-fairly-undisciplined-writer/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [I am burdened with what the Buddhists call the monkey mind. The thoughts that swing from limb to limb, stopping only to scratch themselves,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/i-am-burdened-with-what-the-buddhists-call-the-monkey-mind-the/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [The ugly truth is it's the spineless parents who parade their undisciplined children around like royalty that make people dislike kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lz-granderson/the-ugly-truth-is-it-s-the-spineless-parents-who-parade-their/) [LZ Granderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lz-granderson/) > [The undisciplined child enters into discipline by working in the company of others; not being told he is naughty.” “Discipline is, therefore, primarily a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/the-undisciplined-child-enters-into-discipline-by-working-in-the/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) ## 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/) > [Discipline must be a habit so ingrained that it is stronger than the excitement of battle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/discipline-must-be-a-habit-so-ingrained-that-it-is-stronger-than-the/) [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/) [Explore all 208 George S. Patton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/) ## More Discipline quotes > [Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/christianity-was-never-meant-to-be-defined-by-its-disciplines-but-by/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) > [Grit and self-control are related, but they're not the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/grit-and-self-control-are-related-but-they-re-not-the-same-thing/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“Peace requires a discipline more iron than war. - Easter, 1939 ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-j-turner/peace-requires-a-discipline-more-iron-than-war-easter-1939/) W.J. Turner > [You can't have the fruits without the roots. It's the principle of sequencing: Private Victories proceed Public Victories. Self-mastery and self-discipline are the foundation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/you-can-t-have-the-fruits-without-the-roots-it-s-the-principle-of/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Like a child exploring the attic of an old house on a rainy day, discovering a trunk full of treasure and then calling all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/like-a-child-exploring-the-attic-of-an-old-house-on-a-rainy-day/) [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) > [Exercise teaches you the pleasure of discipline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-fonda/exercise-teaches-you-the-pleasure-of-discipline/) [Jane Fonda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-fonda/) > [I'm always writing. I'm an obsessive. It's not because I'm a disciplined person. It's because I'm crazy about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hanif-kureishi/i-m-always-writing-i-m-an-obsessive-it-s-not-because-i-m-a/) [Hanif Kureishi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hanif-kureishi/) > [“I felt like praying or something, when I was in bed, but I couldn't do it. I can't always pray when I feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-salinger/i-felt-like-praying-or-something-when-i-was-in-bed-but-i-couldn-t-do/) [J.D. Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-salinger/) > [The undisciplined child enters into discipline by working in the company of others; not being told he is naughty.” “Discipline is, therefore, primarily a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/the-undisciplined-child-enters-into-discipline-by-working-in-the/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [“Proverbs from the East: The wind howls, but the mountain remains still. Even though I make no special attempt to observe the discipline of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/proverbs-from-the-east-the-wind-howls-but-the-mountain-remains-still/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [To behave creatively in art means behavior with skill; and skill comes from discipline, not derangement. The artist who knows the rules -and proportion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burne-hogarth/to-behave-creatively-in-art-means-behavior-with-skill-and-skill-comes/) Burne Hogarth > [Self-discipline is an act of cultivation. It require you to connect today's actions to tomorrow's results. There's a season for sowing a season for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-ryan-blair/self-discipline-is-an-act-of-cultivation-it-require-you-to-connect/) [Gary Ryan Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-ryan-blair/) > [The individual, by means of the discipline imposed on him by sport, not only plays and finds relaxation from the various compulsions to which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-ellul/the-individual-by-means-of-the-discipline-imposed-on-him-by-sport-not/) [Jacques Ellul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-ellul/) > [Cheerfulness in most cheerful people is the rich and satisfying result of strenuous discipline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-percy-whipple/cheerfulness-in-most-cheerful-people-is-the-rich-and-satisfying/) [Edwin Percy Whipple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-percy-whipple/) > [Stay in your seat come times of trouble. Its only people who jump off the roller coaster who get hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-harvey/stay-in-your-seat-come-times-of-trouble-its-only-people-who-jump-off/) [Paul Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-harvey/) [Browse all 5,597 Discipline quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You cannot be disciplined in great things and undisciplined in small things.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "George S. 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