Discipline Quote by Kaiten Nukariya
![“It is of capital importance for us to discipline the heart,[FN#209] otherwise it will discipline us. Passions are like legs. They should be guided by the eye of reason. No wise serpent is led by its tail, so no wise man is led by his passion.” quote by Kaiten Nukariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/95a/kaiten-nukariya-793_discipline_it-is-of-capital-importance-for-us-to-di_355332.jpg)
““It is of capital importance for us to discipline the heart,[FN#209] otherwise it will discipline us. Passions are like legs. They should be guided by the eye of reason. No wise serpent is led by its tail, so no wise man is led by his passion.””
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Unknown source, possibly philosophical essay
The heart must be disciplined or it will control us; passions need rational guidance like legs need direction.
In simple terms: Control your heart or it controls you.
Key Takeaway
Guide passions with reason.
Themes
self‑discipline
reason
passion
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal decisionmaking
- leadership
- conflict resolution
- emotional regulation
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you keep emotions in check?
- What role does reason play in your passions?
A Different Perspective
Reason alone may not fully tame deep emotions.
![“Rin-zai also says: "Spirit is formless, but it penetrates through the world in the ten directions."[FN#149] The Sixth Patriarch expresses the same idea more explicitly: "What creates the phenomena is Mind; what transcends all the phenomena is Buddha."[FN#150]” quote by Kaiten Nukariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d4e/kaiten-nukariya-793_spirit-formless_rin-zai-also-says-spirit-is-formless-but_13012.jpg)
![“it is the overcoming of egoism, the destroying of mean desires, the uplifting of the moral ideal, and the disclosing of inborn wisdom. [FN#12]” quote by Kaiten Nukariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3ae/kaiten-nukariya-793_egoism_it-is-the-overcoming-of-egoism-the-destr_46308.jpg)
![“The fourth stage is called the Rank of Co-operative Merit,[FN#273] in which the student 'co-operates' with other persons in order to complete his merit. Now, he is not compared with a general who conquers his foe, but with the prime-minister who co-operates with other officials to the benefit of…” quote by Kaiten Nukariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4a6/kaiten-nukariya-793_quote_the-fourth-stage-is-called-the-rank-of-c_48041.jpg){kind=icon}
