"In
the Bible praise is given, not to the strong man who "taketh
a city," but to the stronger man who "ruleth his own spirit."
This stronger man is he who, by discipline, exercises a constant
control over his thoughts, his speech, and his acts. Nine-tenths
of the vicious desires that degrade society, and which, when
indulged, swell into the crimes that disgrace it, would shrink
into insignificance before the advance of valiant self-discipline,
self-respect, and self-control. By the watchful exercise of
these virtues, purity of heart and mind become habitual, and
the character is built up in chastity, virtue, and temperance."