“I forget who it was that recommended men for their soul’s good to do each day two things they disliked. . . . It is a precept I have followed scrupulously: for every day I have got up and I have gone to bed.”
What this quote means
This humorous and profound quote by William (possibly Somerset Maugham) highlights the importance of daily discipline, even in mundane tasks. Getting up and going to bed each day is a victory over laziness and disorder. It resonates because we often seek extraordinary feats, but true discipline manifests in the repetition of simple actions. It is a reminder that constancy is more valuable than occasional heroism.
How to apply it daily
Each morning, upon waking, tell yourself: 'Today, I will get up and go to bed with discipline.' Perform your routines with intention, even the simplest ones.
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