Discipline Quote by Peter Kreeft
![“Saint Thomas Aquinas says, wisely, that the only way to drive out a bad passion is by a stronger good passion. The same is true of thoughts as of passions. When your mind wanders, like a child, your will must bring it back, like a mother. [. . .] The will-parent must discipline the mind-child…” quote by Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/726/peter-kreeft-820_discipline_saint-thomas-aquinas-says-wisely-that-th_537121.jpg)
““Saint Thomas Aquinas says, wisely, that the only way to drive out a bad passion is by a stronger good passion. The same is true of thoughts as of passions. When your mind wanders, like a child, your will must bring it back, like a mother. [. . .] The will-parent must discipline the mind-child, avoiding both the opposite extremes commonly made in disciplining either children or thoughts: tyranny or permissiveness.””
About This Quote
Source Book: “Aquinas on the Human Person” by Peter Kreeft, 2008
Strong good passions or thoughts can overcome weaker, negative ones; disciplined will guides the mind like a parent.
In simple terms: Good habits replace bad ones through strong will.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate stronger positive habits to suppress negatives.
Themes
self‑discipline
virtue
mental training
Mood
determined
reflective
Type
ethical
motivational
When to use this quote
- habit formation
- study habits
- stress management
- parenting strategies
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What good habit can you strengthen now?
- How do you balance discipline with compassion?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on willpower can ignore underlying causes of bad habits.
