--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A pivotal spiritual attribute is that of…" description: "\"A pivotal spiritual attribute is that of self-mastery-th e strength to place reason over appetite. Self-mastery builds a strong conscience. And your co..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dea/russell-m-nelson-1457_appetite_a-pivotal-spiritual-attribute-is-that-of_38894.jpg" --- # A pivotal spiritual attribute is that of self-mastery-th e… ![“A pivotal spiritual attribute is that of self-mastery-th e strength to place reason over appetite. Self-mastery builds a strong conscience. And your conscience determines your moral responses in difficult, tempting, and trying situations.” quote by Russell M. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dea/russell-m-nelson-1457_appetite_a-pivotal-spiritual-attribute-is-that-of_38894.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dea/russell-m-nelson-1457_appetite_a-pivotal-spiritual-attribute-is-that-of_38894.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dea/russell-m-nelson-1457_appetite_a-pivotal-spiritual-attribute-is-that-of_38894.jpg) > “A pivotal spiritual attribute is that of self-mastery-th e strength to place reason over appetite. Self-mastery builds a strong conscience. And your conscience determines your moral responses in difficult, tempting, and trying situations.” [Russell M. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-m-nelson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self-mastery means letting rational judgment guide desires, forming a conscience that steers moral choices under pressure. **In simple terms:** Reason over appetite shapes conscience. Key Takeaway Self-control yields moral clarity. Themes self-discipline ethics spiritual growth decision-making inner strength Mood reflective determined inspired Type philosophical spiritual advice When to use this quote - facing ethical dilemmas - overcoming cravings - making tough choices - leadership under stress - personal development Key Concepts conscience moral agency temptation reason Practical Applications - ethical coaching - mindfulness training Questions to Reflect On - How does self-mastery influence your daily decisions? - What practices strengthen your conscience? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Appetite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appetite/) [Appetite Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appetite-self-449779/) [Attribute Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attribute-self-449778/) [Attributes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attributes/) [Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) [Conscience Determines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience-determines-449777/) [Determine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determine/) [Difficult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult/) [Mastery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mastery/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Pivotal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pivotal/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Response](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/response/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self mastery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-mastery/) [Situation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/situation/) [Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual/) [Spiritual Attribute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-attribute-449776/) [Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong/) [Tempting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tempting/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) ## Related quotes > [My appetite for self-destruction and misery is greatly diminished. I'm not interested in being unhappy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boy-george/my-appetite-for-self-destruction-and-misery-is-greatly-diminished-i-m/) [Boy George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boy-george/) > [ The child..will try to make himself..independent of other people. .. Excesses of appetite are self-cures for feelings of hopelessness. ..The child \[uses\] ‘doubt about… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-phillips/the-child-will-try-to-make-himself-independent-of-other-people/) [Adam Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-phillips/) > [Suffrage is the pivotal right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-b-anthony/suffrage-is-the-pivotal-right/) [Susan B. Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-b-anthony/) > [Primal Scream's 'Screamadelica' was one of the pivotal records.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-manuel-de-homem-christo/primal-scream-s-screamadelica-was-one-of-the-pivotal-records/) [Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-manuel-de-homem-christo/) > [I have the 'thing' worked out - the trick or the surprise or the pivotal fact. Then I just start somewhere and let the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-child/i-have-the-thing-worked-out-the-trick-or-the-surprise-or-the-pivotal/) [Lee Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-child/) > [ Israel is extraordinary blessed to have \[Benjamin Netanyahu\] as prime minister at this pivotal time in history and so is the United States of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-dobbs/israel-is-extraordinary-blessed-to-have-benjamin-netanyahu-as-prime/) [Lou Dobbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-dobbs/) > [As with anything in life, when you have certain experiences at pivotal times, they shape you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-cassidy/as-with-anything-in-life-when-you-have-certain-experiences-at-pivotal/) [Elaine Cassidy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-cassidy/) > [The death of Jesus is the pivotal event of human history and everything needs to be understood in light of that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/the-death-of-jesus-is-the-pivotal-event-of-human-history-and/) [Alistair Begg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/) > [I think more to the point, these pivotal times means something other than a politician. I understand the economy. I understand the world. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-fiorina/i-think-more-to-the-point-these-pivotal-times-means-something-other/) [Carly Fiorina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-fiorina/) > [In the 2000 presidential election, Al Gore got more votes than George W. Bush, but still lost the election. The Supreme Court's ruling in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-williams/in-the-2000-presidential-election-al-gore-got-more-votes-than-george/) [Juan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-williams/) > [It turns out that moving our muscles produces proteins that travel through the bloodstream and into the brain, where they play pivotal roles in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ratey/it-turns-out-that-moving-our-muscles-produces-proteins-that-travel/) [John Ratey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ratey/) > [I love scoring. Putting music to picture is a rewarding challenge and one that relies on interpretation of emotion - as in, what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-phair/i-love-scoring-putting-music-to-picture-is-a-rewarding-challenge-and/) [Liz Phair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-phair/) > [A proactive person needs no pressure to perform and an ineffective person offloads his pressure onto others to deform the positive work culture of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anuj/a-proactive-person-needs-no-pressure-to-perform-and-an-ineffective/) [Anuj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anuj/) > [I look back, now, and I know that the naming moment, which seemed so insignificant then, which seemed to demand no more than an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-david-roberts/i-look-back-now-and-i-know-that-the-naming-moment-which-seemed-so/) [Gregory David Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-david-roberts/) > [My mom taught me the power of love. I learned to focus on the long-term big picture from my father. His sense of humor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/padmasree-warrior/my-mom-taught-me-the-power-of-love-i-learned-to-focus-on-the-long/) [Padmasree Warrior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/padmasree-warrior/) ## More by Russell M. Nelson > [To understand the power of the priesthood, we must know its limitations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-m-nelson/to-understand-the-power-of-the-priesthood-we-must-know-its-limitations/) [Russell M. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-m-nelson/) > [A saint is tolerant and is attentive to the pleadings of other human beings, not only to spoken messages but to unspoken messages as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-m-nelson/a-saint-is-tolerant-and-is-attentive-to-the-pleadings-of-other-human/) [Russell M. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-m-nelson/) > [Preparation for a mission is important. A mission is a voluntary act of service to God and humankind. Missionaries support that privilege with their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-m-nelson/preparation-for-a-mission-is-important-a-mission-is-a-voluntary-act/) [Russell M. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-m-nelson/) > [Every religious group, while perhaps a majority somewhere, is also inevitably a minority somewhere else. Thus, religious organizations should and do show tolerance toward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-m-nelson/every-religious-group-while-perhaps-a-majority-somewhere-is-also/) [Russell M. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-m-nelson/) > [The living Lord leads His living church.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-m-nelson/the-living-lord-leads-his-living-church/) [Russell M. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-m-nelson/) > [How much better it would be if all could be more aware of God's providence and love and express that gratitude to Him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-m-nelson/how-much-better-it-would-be-if-all-could-be-more-aware-of-god-s/) [Russell M. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-m-nelson/) > [Our personal intelligence is everlasting and divine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-m-nelson/our-personal-intelligence-is-everlasting-and-divine/) [Russell M. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-m-nelson/) > [God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, but we are not. Each day, ours is the challenge to access the power of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-m-nelson/god-is-the-same-yesterday-today-and-forever-but-we-are-not-each-day/) [Russell M. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-m-nelson/) > [No matter your situation, you can make family history a part of your life right now. Primary children can draw a family tree. Youth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-m-nelson/no-matter-your-situation-you-can-make-family-history-a-part-of-your/) [Russell M. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-m-nelson/) > [Counsel with your parents is a privilege at any age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-m-nelson/counsel-with-your-parents-is-a-privilege-at-any-age/) [Russell M. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-m-nelson/) > [While musical experts of the world focus on what choir members can do, I would like to focus on what choir members can be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-m-nelson/while-musical-experts-of-the-world-focus-on-what-choir-members-can-do/) [Russell M. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-m-nelson/) > [To rule children by force is the technique of Satan, not of the Savior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-m-nelson/to-rule-children-by-force-is-the-technique-of-satan-not-of-the-savior/) [Russell M. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-m-nelson/) > [I first found delight in the Sabbath many years ago when, as a busy surgeon, I knew that the Sabbath became a day for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-m-nelson/i-first-found-delight-in-the-sabbath-many-years-ago-when-as-a-busy/) [Russell M. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-m-nelson/) > [As a member of the Church, you have made sacred covenants with the Lord.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-m-nelson/as-a-member-of-the-church-you-have-made-sacred-covenants-with-the-lord/) [Russell M. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-m-nelson/) > [“From time to time, I hear people speculate on the question, "When does the prophet speak as a prophet, and when does he speak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-m-nelson/from-time-to-time-i-hear-people-speculate-on-the-question-when-does/) [Russell M. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-m-nelson/) [Explore all 239 Russell M. Nelson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-m-nelson/) ## More Appetite quotes > [I could not limit my values and pursuits to what makes others comfortable. Being possessed by a promise I live without options. I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/i-could-not-limit-my-values-and-pursuits-to-what-makes-others/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) > [the appetite for thinking must be regulated, as all sensible people know, for it may stifle one's life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sontag/the-appetite-for-thinking-must-be-regulated-as-all-sensible-people/) [Susan Sontag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sontag/) > [The more perfect the sight is the more delightful the beautiful object. The more perfect the appetite, the sweeter the food. The more musical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-baxter/the-more-perfect-the-sight-is-the-more-delightful-the-beautiful/) [Richard Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-baxter/) > [“if you cannot control your hunger and appetite, good luck managing your blood chemistry, metabolism, waistline, and, in the bigger picture, the prospect of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-perlmutter/if-you-cannot-control-your-hunger-and-appetite-good-luck-managing/) [David Perlmutter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-perlmutter/) > [I don't think I've ever bench-pressed anything in my life. Until about two years ago I swam a mile almost every day. Then I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-antosca/i-don-t-think-i-ve-ever-bench-pressed-anything-in-my-life-until-about/) [Nick Antosca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-antosca/) > [If I had been an Italian I am sure that I should have been whole-heartedly with you from the start to finish in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/if-i-had-been-an-italian-i-am-sure-that-i-should-have-been-whole/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [It could be my British need for discipline that makes me admire the American appetite for freedom and passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-winwood/it-could-be-my-british-need-for-discipline-that-makes-me-admire-the/) [Steve Winwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-winwood/) > [My curiosity and my appetite for evolving as an actor is one of the main components of me still working today in the business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-cattrall/my-curiosity-and-my-appetite-for-evolving-as-an-actor-is-one-of-the/) [Kim Cattrall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-cattrall/) > [I have a strong appetite and its not for food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-have-a-strong-appetite-and-its-not-for-food/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The plain fact is that education is itself a form of propaganda - a deliberate scheme to outfit the pupil, not with the capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-plain-fact-is-that-education-is-itself-a-form-of-propaganda-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“You should also eat eggs. Not “one egg per week” or some such non-physiologic restriction. Eat what your body tells you to eat, since…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-davis/you-should-also-eat-eggs-not-one-egg-per-week-or-some-such-non/) [William Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-davis/) > [If your desires are not great, a little will seem much to you; for small appetite makes poverty equivalent to wealth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/if-your-desires-are-not-great-a-little-will-seem-much-to-you-for/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [When passions and appetites are stronger than the intellect, men are savages; when the intellect governs the passions, when the passions are servants, men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/when-passions-and-appetites-are-stronger-than-the-intellect-men-are/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [The commonest and cheapest sounds, as the barking of a dog, produce the same effect on fresh and healthy ears that the rarest music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-commonest-and-cheapest-sounds-as-the-barking-of-a-dog-produce-the/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [There’s been a problem, a problem eating away at me from the inside out. I’ve become weak, I’ve shown human compassion, and it has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kane/there-s-been-a-problem-a-problem-eating-away-at-me-from-the-inside/) [Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kane/) [Browse all 994 Appetite quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appetite/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A pivotal spiritual attribute is that of self-mastery-th e strength to place reason over appetite. Self-mastery builds a strong conscience. And your conscience determines your moral responses in difficult, tempting, and trying situations.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Russell M. 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