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The Disciplined Life: Studies in the Fine Art of Christian Discipleship
For All Those who Yearn to be and do Their Very Best for Christ With bold, deft strokes, Richard Taylor penetrates the shallowness of our culture and lays bare the dire need for disciplined living. He deals with all those areas of living which hamper Christians from reaching their full potential, such as overeating, moodiness, erratic emotions, tardiness, lack of submission, and weak priorities. But beyond the habits of daily life, the author presents a clear and practical program for being, from the inside out, a true Christian disciple.
108 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1962
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
May 17, 2025
Breaks down what discipline is and isn’t, why it’s important and how to practice it.
There is physical and mental discipline. The discipline of the mind is much higher. “A trained mind can evaluate evidence, think logically, select ends and devise means; it can concentrate on essentials and discard the irrelevant.”. Train the mind to train the body, train the body to be subject to the mind.
There is also worldly vs Godly disciple. To the Christian, disciple is discipleship: taking up your cross daily. Denying your pleasures for the sake of Christ.
• “A mature disciplined Christian has learned to feel just as good when he feels bad as he does when he feels good”
Also talks about unhealthy extremes in the pursuit of discipline and discipline vs holiness. That discipline doesn’t produce holiness, but holiness is required first for Godly discipline. Discipline doesn’t sanctify the heart, but a sanctified heart will lead to a disciplined life.
Practical areas of discipline:
• Get out of bed when your alarms goes off
• Make your bed promptly in neatly
• Do your dishes, pick up clothes
• Control bodily movements like fidgeting, swaying, eye contact, posture
• Finish difficult tasks first. Complete all task you begin
• Punctuality
• Practice concentrating on a problem in pure thought, think in full sentences
• Know when to eat and how much to eat, gluttony under control
• Prayer schedule
Godly discipline is being dead to self and to the world, knowing we are living for Jesus and heaven, so bringing everything in obedience to that reality.
There is physical and mental discipline. The discipline of the mind is much higher. “A trained mind can evaluate evidence, think logically, select ends and devise means; it can concentrate on essentials and discard the irrelevant.”. Train the mind to train the body, train the body to be subject to the mind.
There is also worldly vs Godly disciple. To the Christian, disciple is discipleship: taking up your cross daily. Denying your pleasures for the sake of Christ.
• “A mature disciplined Christian has learned to feel just as good when he feels bad as he does when he feels good”
Also talks about unhealthy extremes in the pursuit of discipline and discipline vs holiness. That discipline doesn’t produce holiness, but holiness is required first for Godly discipline. Discipline doesn’t sanctify the heart, but a sanctified heart will lead to a disciplined life.
Practical areas of discipline:
• Get out of bed when your alarms goes off
• Make your bed promptly in neatly
• Do your dishes, pick up clothes
• Control bodily movements like fidgeting, swaying, eye contact, posture
• Finish difficult tasks first. Complete all task you begin
• Punctuality
• Practice concentrating on a problem in pure thought, think in full sentences
• Know when to eat and how much to eat, gluttony under control
• Prayer schedule
Godly discipline is being dead to self and to the world, knowing we are living for Jesus and heaven, so bringing everything in obedience to that reality.
August 24, 2023
I've been too undisciplined to get around to reading this one! A great little book on the character of discipline.
Some modern-day Stoics and discipline-fanatics make discipline the end goal, but in this book, discipline is set as a tool we can use in our pursuit of Christlikeness. This is a good distinction. We can get so impressed with a Jocko Willink that we forget that he's building the temporal (whether a body or a business or a bank account) rather than the eternal.
Although Taylor chides the reader for skipping to the practical section without reading the whole book, the PART TWO: HOW TO BECOME A DISCIPLINED PERSON is really the best part of the book, in my opinion. It is full of areas we should all be diligent in, and I appreciated the tone of the whole thing. An excellent read, although a bit dry and outdated for it to be a 5-star book for me.
Some modern-day Stoics and discipline-fanatics make discipline the end goal, but in this book, discipline is set as a tool we can use in our pursuit of Christlikeness. This is a good distinction. We can get so impressed with a Jocko Willink that we forget that he's building the temporal (whether a body or a business or a bank account) rather than the eternal.
Although Taylor chides the reader for skipping to the practical section without reading the whole book, the PART TWO: HOW TO BECOME A DISCIPLINED PERSON is really the best part of the book, in my opinion. It is full of areas we should all be diligent in, and I appreciated the tone of the whole thing. An excellent read, although a bit dry and outdated for it to be a 5-star book for me.
March 10, 2017
My second time reading this book. As helpful and practical now as before!
September 7, 2026
Be a Christian. Do hard things.
December 14, 2016
I can’t say enough about this book. I think I first read it years ago in college and simply had so much rich info coming at me during that phase of my life that I didn’t fully appreciate this treasure.
I feel I was blessed to be taught a lot of these principles, but wish I’d grasped the book sooner to have seen my lack of discipline in some other areas. I have work to do!
Oh, and the last chapter is definitely excellent, but Taylor calls you out if you try to start there, and indeed, it won’t be as meaningful if you haven’t read the whole book.
I feel I was blessed to be taught a lot of these principles, but wish I’d grasped the book sooner to have seen my lack of discipline in some other areas. I have work to do!
Oh, and the last chapter is definitely excellent, but Taylor calls you out if you try to start there, and indeed, it won’t be as meaningful if you haven’t read the whole book.
July 13, 2012
Inspiring book I read when I was in college and trying to get myself organized and to quit wasting so much time. Shows the importance of being disciplined in order to be a good tool in the Christian cause.
August 13, 2009
Excellent book. It's got a lot of ideas missing from today's society. I recommend it to anyone interested in improving the quality of life.
December 31, 2017
Excellent. Worth re-reading, especially at the beginning of the year.
(Read once before in 2009.)
(Read once before in 2009.)
December 19, 2023
Die Welt gehört denen, die diszipliniert sind. Disziplin ist der Schlüssel zur Stärke. Das Gegenteil von Disziplin ist Weichheit und Nachgiebigkeit gegenüber sich selbst. Keine Nation hat überlebt, die sich selbst gegenüber nachgiebig und schlaff geworden ist.
Disziplin muss eine grundlegende Eigenschaft sein. Wenn man nur in einem Bereich diszipliniert ist oder eine Fähigkeit gut ausgebildet hat, wird diese früher oder später von anderen Lastern erstickt werden und der allgemeinen Charakterschwäche unterlegen.
Disziplin hat mit gewohnheitsmäßiger Selbstbeherrschung und intelligenter Ausrichtung zu tun. Sie zeigt sich vor allem in Krisen Zeiten.
Dass häufig Pläne nickt umgesetzt und Ziele nicht erreicht werden, liegt nach R.S. Taylor häufig nicht an Mangel an Begabung, sondern an Charakter und Disziplin. Die Ambitionen vieler liegen im Bereich ihr Fähigkeiten, aber jenseits ihrer Disziplin. Wie ein disziplinierter Mensch aussieht, welche Eigenschaften ihn auszeichnen und an welchen praktischen Kleinigkeiten man einen disziplinierten Menschen im Alltag erkennen kann, beschreibt er in seinem Buch ausführlich.
Die echte Disziplin zeigt sich nicht dann am besten, wenn auf spektakuläre Art und Weise etwas Drastisches erreicht wird, sondern wenn Verhaltensmuster permanent angepasst werden.
Taylor geht auf die verschiedenen Facetten und auch Gefahren der Disziplin ein.
Im ersten Teil, den ersten fünf Kapiteln, geht es verstört um die „Theorie“ würde ich sagen (Der Platz von Disziplin im christlichen Leben). Der zweiter Teil, das sechste Kapitel, ist dann durch und durch praktischer Natur (Der Pfad zur Disziplin im christlichen Leben).
Besonders krass fand ich den Satz: Disziplin oder Dekadenz.
Das Buch ist gut geschrieben und voller lebenspraktischer, biblischer Weisheiten. Es ist anregend und gut zu lesen.
Ein paar Sachen muss man vielleicht nicht wie Taylor sehen, aber generell ist es empfehlenswert.
Disziplin muss eine grundlegende Eigenschaft sein. Wenn man nur in einem Bereich diszipliniert ist oder eine Fähigkeit gut ausgebildet hat, wird diese früher oder später von anderen Lastern erstickt werden und der allgemeinen Charakterschwäche unterlegen.
Disziplin hat mit gewohnheitsmäßiger Selbstbeherrschung und intelligenter Ausrichtung zu tun. Sie zeigt sich vor allem in Krisen Zeiten.
Dass häufig Pläne nickt umgesetzt und Ziele nicht erreicht werden, liegt nach R.S. Taylor häufig nicht an Mangel an Begabung, sondern an Charakter und Disziplin. Die Ambitionen vieler liegen im Bereich ihr Fähigkeiten, aber jenseits ihrer Disziplin. Wie ein disziplinierter Mensch aussieht, welche Eigenschaften ihn auszeichnen und an welchen praktischen Kleinigkeiten man einen disziplinierten Menschen im Alltag erkennen kann, beschreibt er in seinem Buch ausführlich.
Die echte Disziplin zeigt sich nicht dann am besten, wenn auf spektakuläre Art und Weise etwas Drastisches erreicht wird, sondern wenn Verhaltensmuster permanent angepasst werden.
Taylor geht auf die verschiedenen Facetten und auch Gefahren der Disziplin ein.
Im ersten Teil, den ersten fünf Kapiteln, geht es verstört um die „Theorie“ würde ich sagen (Der Platz von Disziplin im christlichen Leben). Der zweiter Teil, das sechste Kapitel, ist dann durch und durch praktischer Natur (Der Pfad zur Disziplin im christlichen Leben).
Besonders krass fand ich den Satz: Disziplin oder Dekadenz.
Das Buch ist gut geschrieben und voller lebenspraktischer, biblischer Weisheiten. Es ist anregend und gut zu lesen.
Ein paar Sachen muss man vielleicht nicht wie Taylor sehen, aber generell ist es empfehlenswert.
January 31, 2019
Excellent, short, practical book! Much-needed in this generation . . . we each need to guard ourselves carefully, because culture is pulling very hard in the direction of undiscipline in every area.
"Without such ruggedness [disciplined character] there will be maudlin self-pity and moral deterioration. With it one can face the moral hazards of life and rise to higher and higher heights of strength and nobility. But the finest discipline of all is not that which struggles out of a near-tragic situation, but foresees and forestalls the situation in the first place."
"Frankness is indeed a virtue when coupled with intelligent, loving tact and discretion. But it becomes a sadistic vice when it is merely the unbridled eruptings of opinions without regard to times and places or human feelings . . . It often takes a far higher display of discipline to refrain from speaking than it does to speak."
"To become well read is vastly more than reading; it is a matter of exclusion as well as inclusion."
"It requires neither intelligence nor character to assert loudly, 'No one can tell me what to do.' But it requires both to submit to the inescapable and necessary constraints of society; and submit, not grudgingly, but graciously, with mature understanding and cheerful good will."
How to become a disciplined person:
* no short cuts!
* where to begin
* training the body
* whip the hard ones
* cultivate punctuality
* girding up the mind
* exploiting the unexpected
* love your critic
* self-restraint
* conquer gluttony!
* learn to respect time tags
* welcome the yokes of life
* cultivate prayer patterns
* a philosophy of discipleship
"Without such ruggedness [disciplined character] there will be maudlin self-pity and moral deterioration. With it one can face the moral hazards of life and rise to higher and higher heights of strength and nobility. But the finest discipline of all is not that which struggles out of a near-tragic situation, but foresees and forestalls the situation in the first place."
"Frankness is indeed a virtue when coupled with intelligent, loving tact and discretion. But it becomes a sadistic vice when it is merely the unbridled eruptings of opinions without regard to times and places or human feelings . . . It often takes a far higher display of discipline to refrain from speaking than it does to speak."
"To become well read is vastly more than reading; it is a matter of exclusion as well as inclusion."
"It requires neither intelligence nor character to assert loudly, 'No one can tell me what to do.' But it requires both to submit to the inescapable and necessary constraints of society; and submit, not grudgingly, but graciously, with mature understanding and cheerful good will."
How to become a disciplined person:
* no short cuts!
* where to begin
* training the body
* whip the hard ones
* cultivate punctuality
* girding up the mind
* exploiting the unexpected
* love your critic
* self-restraint
* conquer gluttony!
* learn to respect time tags
* welcome the yokes of life
* cultivate prayer patterns
* a philosophy of discipleship
January 8, 2021
Next to the Bible the single most impactful book I've read. It literally transformed my thinking and my life. The irony of this book to me is, despite being extremely concise it took multiple attempts to read it in its entirety. If it speaks to you as it spoke to me, you will be challenged to your core.
That said, I have read the book 6 times since I read it completely the first time. I have gifted the book to several close friends over the years, the majority of whom had a similar experience getting through it. Only read this book if you want to seriously address your character, your habits, your perspective and your life at a very fundamental level.
I will also say that for Christmas one year I received a signed hardcover copy of the book from one of my family. They knew how much the book meant to me and somehow located a copy that was signed by Richard S. Taylor and his wife. His wife signed her name as "The Lucky One". I can only attribute this to the profound feelings of gratitude she must've had living with somebody day in and day out that was surrendered to the will of God and serving others. How refreshing it must be to live alongside a partner that wants only to serve and honor you. Sometimes you find gurus and sometimes you find the real deal. I love this book all the more because of the way Richard Taylor's wife felt having intimately known him.
That said, I have read the book 6 times since I read it completely the first time. I have gifted the book to several close friends over the years, the majority of whom had a similar experience getting through it. Only read this book if you want to seriously address your character, your habits, your perspective and your life at a very fundamental level.
I will also say that for Christmas one year I received a signed hardcover copy of the book from one of my family. They knew how much the book meant to me and somehow located a copy that was signed by Richard S. Taylor and his wife. His wife signed her name as "The Lucky One". I can only attribute this to the profound feelings of gratitude she must've had living with somebody day in and day out that was surrendered to the will of God and serving others. How refreshing it must be to live alongside a partner that wants only to serve and honor you. Sometimes you find gurus and sometimes you find the real deal. I love this book all the more because of the way Richard Taylor's wife felt having intimately known him.
May 21, 2024
Practical and short book everyone should read. Many solid points, below are some of those takeaways:
The world belongs to the disciplined.
Disciplined character belongs to the person who achieves balance by bringing all his faculties and powers under control.
Habit is character.
To the Christian, discipline means discipleship – following Jesus, with one’s self denied and one’s cross resolutely carried.
Disciplined character also means the mastery of moods.
Discipline is the mark of maturity.
Without discipline the character will remain weak and infantile.
Habit must be kept to the role of a servant; otherwise it becomes the master, and the personality begins to vegetate.
Mature self-restraint is a yielding to sanctions within, imposed by the conscience and judgment; certainly that is the goal. But the first step toward that goal is learning to yield to sanctions without.
It has often been conceited that he who cannot control himself is not fit to control others. It is just as true that he who cannot follow is not worthy to lead, and he who cannot obey orders is not qualified to give them.
If you need to reinforce your motivation, then ponder soberly and honestly the end result of drifting through life as an undisciplined person.
The world belongs to the disciplined.
Disciplined character belongs to the person who achieves balance by bringing all his faculties and powers under control.
Habit is character.
To the Christian, discipline means discipleship – following Jesus, with one’s self denied and one’s cross resolutely carried.
Disciplined character also means the mastery of moods.
Discipline is the mark of maturity.
Without discipline the character will remain weak and infantile.
Habit must be kept to the role of a servant; otherwise it becomes the master, and the personality begins to vegetate.
Mature self-restraint is a yielding to sanctions within, imposed by the conscience and judgment; certainly that is the goal. But the first step toward that goal is learning to yield to sanctions without.
It has often been conceited that he who cannot control himself is not fit to control others. It is just as true that he who cannot follow is not worthy to lead, and he who cannot obey orders is not qualified to give them.
If you need to reinforce your motivation, then ponder soberly and honestly the end result of drifting through life as an undisciplined person.
January 18, 2021
Though this is an older book, it is absolutely timeless and most appropriate for today's millenials, myself especially. It's a short, easy read that is theologically sound and also convicting.
"On our own we may achieve a facade of poise and strength, but only as we pray will the outward show be authenticated by matching reality and genuineness within".
I really appreciated how he explained that many people outside of the Christian faith can achieve self control through much practice, but our goal for self discpline should be driven by our faith for the purpose of not helping ourselves, but rather to help others.
This was my second time reading and I plan to re-read many times throughout my life.
"On our own we may achieve a facade of poise and strength, but only as we pray will the outward show be authenticated by matching reality and genuineness within".
I really appreciated how he explained that many people outside of the Christian faith can achieve self control through much practice, but our goal for self discpline should be driven by our faith for the purpose of not helping ourselves, but rather to help others.
This was my second time reading and I plan to re-read many times throughout my life.
August 9, 2018
This was an incredible read. So so so many things to underline! I'm sure I'll go back and reread several sections. Very convicting, and yet also gave me a game plan for the next step towards being a disciplined person. Would definitely recommend!
November 25, 2020
Self-discipline is the difference between success and failure in many areas of life.
The book is uneven with the first two chapters stronger than other chapters. But there are insights scattered throughout this brief work.
The book is uneven with the first two chapters stronger than other chapters. But there are insights scattered throughout this brief work.
September 25, 2026
One of the greatest books I have ever read. I was assigned it in my freshman year of college and absolutely loved the book. Richard S. Taylor does a wonderful job of listing various ways to discipline yourself better. From dieting to basic Christian living, this book covers it all!
February 8, 2019
Good book overall. Challenged me.
October 8, 2020
Practical and helpful book. I was required to read it for a class in college, and the last chapter was just as good as I remembered. Would be great for teens headed to college or in college.
July 27, 2023
Best book on self discipline...read it years ago and reread it occasionally. It is life changing.
August 31, 2023
This is eye-opening to not get crazy with discipline without keeping Christ first. It is so beneficial.
March 9, 2024
an important read. thankful I read this book as my first completed book of the year. this is a book for all generations.
July 31, 2024
Quick read with some easy application. I appreciated the way the author sets the biblical foundation in the first few chapters, then brings the basic steps at the end.
September 21, 2024
M second time reading this book and it helps me develop discipline when I am lacking
February 28, 2025
Necessary reading 🙏🏾
I feel everybody should read this book at least once. Powerful short read that made challenge your life and your walk with God.
I feel everybody should read this book at least once. Powerful short read that made challenge your life and your walk with God.
April 29, 2026
Excellent book. Good yearly read.
February 1, 2021
A thought provoking book that had an impact in my life.
June 30, 2009
I've just finished part one of the book : "The Place of Discipline in Christian Living" and so far have been very impressed with the authors presentation of the role of discipline in the physical and spiritual life of a person. R.S. Taylor presents discipline as the key to power and the truest mark of maturity. He explores the results of discipline working on the appetites, emotions, moods, speech, priorities and submission to authority. He follows with a few chapters on the dangers of extreme "discipline" which can lead a person to Christian asceticism. He also makes a point to spell out for his readers that discipline and holiness are not the same thing and also that discipline is not a means to holiness in and of itself. Holiness is itself the basis for discipline. The very last section of this part of the book is dedicated to the discussion of imposed discipline mainly in the life of a child. He disputes the popular idea that discipline injures the personality of a child. Excerpt from page 72:
"There is already a twist toward self-centeredness and lawlessness which will not right itself under the benign rays of Christian environment, but will feed on kindness, turn liberty into license, and grow alarmingly with the years, if not rigorously curbed by firm rule from the cradle onwards. Such curbing, while not able to extirpate the twist, will at least bring it clearly to light; it will also make adjustments to the restraints of an adult society much easier , to say nothing of the greater ease in submitting to the rule of God, at first partially, and then with that full submission which enables God to correct the nature at its base."
I really enjoyed the first half of this book :) It is so very insightful. I cannot wait to see what he presents in Part two: The Path to discipline in Christian Living.
"There is already a twist toward self-centeredness and lawlessness which will not right itself under the benign rays of Christian environment, but will feed on kindness, turn liberty into license, and grow alarmingly with the years, if not rigorously curbed by firm rule from the cradle onwards. Such curbing, while not able to extirpate the twist, will at least bring it clearly to light; it will also make adjustments to the restraints of an adult society much easier , to say nothing of the greater ease in submitting to the rule of God, at first partially, and then with that full submission which enables God to correct the nature at its base."
I really enjoyed the first half of this book :) It is so very insightful. I cannot wait to see what he presents in Part two: The Path to discipline in Christian Living.
June 27, 2025
An excellent book. I especially appreciate Taylor's emphasis on the connection between holiness and discipline This is definitely a book I'll be revisiting.
There are two areas where the book falls a bit short, though I still think it deserves a five-star rating as the best Christian book on discipline that I've ever read, and from a holiness author at that!
1. It's a bit light on practical guidance. It talks a lot about the foundation of discipline (good), and then goes on to give specific areas in which to grow in discipline (good). It even gives specific examples of good practices (good). What it fails to deliver is practical guidance on how to develop such practices. It's widely recognised that discipline doesn't just happen. As weak humans we rarely can just will ourselves to develop good habits. We have to have specific, deliberate structure and accountability.
2. It's a bit outdated at times. Case in point:
"In these days there is not much hardness to endure. This is true at least of physical discomforts. (Even spiritually, when the prestige of religion, including holiness denominations, is at an all-time high, we know little of facing up to the stinging rebuff of opposition." (emphasis added)
On the flip side, I do believe Taylor is right in that the American church doesn't stand up to opposition very much these days. But it should! We certainly have opposition, but it's far more insidious than Taylor ever saw. All that said, I think the vast majority of what he says is still as relevant today as it ever was.
There are two areas where the book falls a bit short, though I still think it deserves a five-star rating as the best Christian book on discipline that I've ever read, and from a holiness author at that!
1. It's a bit light on practical guidance. It talks a lot about the foundation of discipline (good), and then goes on to give specific areas in which to grow in discipline (good). It even gives specific examples of good practices (good). What it fails to deliver is practical guidance on how to develop such practices. It's widely recognised that discipline doesn't just happen. As weak humans we rarely can just will ourselves to develop good habits. We have to have specific, deliberate structure and accountability.
2. It's a bit outdated at times. Case in point:
"In these days there is not much hardness to endure. This is true at least of physical discomforts. (Even spiritually, when the prestige of religion, including holiness denominations, is at an all-time high, we know little of facing up to the stinging rebuff of opposition." (emphasis added)
On the flip side, I do believe Taylor is right in that the American church doesn't stand up to opposition very much these days. But it should! We certainly have opposition, but it's far more insidious than Taylor ever saw. All that said, I think the vast majority of what he says is still as relevant today as it ever was.
January 14, 2016
Well, this book stepped all over my toes! Taylor holds nothing back in this short little book exhorting the christian to live a disciplined life in every area, from controlling moods and emotions, to speech and gluttony, and even avoiding procrastination and honoring time commitments. (!!!!!)
"none can qualify for the high rating of a truly disciplined character whose tongue is not restrained by the bridle of prudence and directed by the reins of love" (39).
"When students glibly cast off their tardiness by the cliche, 'Better late than never,' their professor would invariably retort, 'Better never late" (102).
I thought it was interesting that he also examined some perils of self-discipline, such as pride or going to extremes, or even confusing discipline with holiness. "Persons so afflicted (with unnatural self-discipline in an effort to conquer sin) often live a life of strain: they are overscrupulous and petty; prudish to the point of morbidity; easily shocked and quick to criticize others; afraid to laugh lest they be guilty of levity" (68).
I'm still mulling over the following quote, particularly as it applies to those who tend to have perfectionist tendencies anyway.
"Consecration to God carries with it the obligation to excel, not in competition with others, but in competition with oneself. God's work demands trained minds. You have no right to be mediocre if you are capable of something better" (105).
"none can qualify for the high rating of a truly disciplined character whose tongue is not restrained by the bridle of prudence and directed by the reins of love" (39).
"When students glibly cast off their tardiness by the cliche, 'Better late than never,' their professor would invariably retort, 'Better never late" (102).
I thought it was interesting that he also examined some perils of self-discipline, such as pride or going to extremes, or even confusing discipline with holiness. "Persons so afflicted (with unnatural self-discipline in an effort to conquer sin) often live a life of strain: they are overscrupulous and petty; prudish to the point of morbidity; easily shocked and quick to criticize others; afraid to laugh lest they be guilty of levity" (68).
I'm still mulling over the following quote, particularly as it applies to those who tend to have perfectionist tendencies anyway.
"Consecration to God carries with it the obligation to excel, not in competition with others, but in competition with oneself. God's work demands trained minds. You have no right to be mediocre if you are capable of something better" (105).
August 6, 2013
My, what a potent little book and yes, it's dated--written to a 1960s world--but the message isn't. I think what I liked best isn't Taylor's message on what discipline is, but what it isn't: "We have mistakenly labored under the delusion that holiness is the fruition of discipline." Or this: "It is a mistake to suppose that disciplined living is entirely a matter of rigid rule, routine, and habit; or that its highest exhibition is in being able to determine a course of action for the day and then batter one's way through at any cost. Too many other people and legitimate demands are apt to get trampled on by that kind of obstinacy. Such self-discipline is too akin to bull-headedness and self-will. It may be a symptom of basic selfishness." Too true!
I'd read this little gem 20 years ago, and still find the message fresh and needed. "Far more important than our hidebound little systems are people. Helping people should be the supreme objective of all our self-discipline." I kinda forget it's not all about my rabid quest to cross the next thing off the List.
Basically, it's a book about getting our crap together and not squashing others to do it. It's a challenge, really, a call to see what we can do to up the ante to our personal best.
Dated, yes. Still applicable, certainly. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to extrapolate.
I'd read this little gem 20 years ago, and still find the message fresh and needed. "Far more important than our hidebound little systems are people. Helping people should be the supreme objective of all our self-discipline." I kinda forget it's not all about my rabid quest to cross the next thing off the List.
Basically, it's a book about getting our crap together and not squashing others to do it. It's a challenge, really, a call to see what we can do to up the ante to our personal best.
Dated, yes. Still applicable, certainly. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to extrapolate.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews