Wednesday, February 16, 2011

The only tame lion is the one that has tamed itself.

20 comments:

  1. Interesting. I get so confused when it comes to self discipline, self will, and all the other selfs. On one hand I say yes. On the other, I give the real credit to my higher power, which kinda means I didn't do it. So, that's what I got.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I seriously wish I could tame myself! That takes willpower, though.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That is true for the king of the jungle....for the rest, I guess, its a matter of survival....

    ReplyDelete
  4. Well said. Sadly most people do not even become self aware until they are between 30 -50 years of age.

    ReplyDelete
  5. True. You can will someone to change until your ears turn red. Only they can come to the realisation. Only they can change.

    ReplyDelete
  6. We need to learn to help ourselves before we can help others.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I see it in a different light than the others. I mean, we only end up, according to you, with a general lack of joie de vivre, a certain numbness, if we let ourselves get into that state of spirit.
    If we are the lion, it's our duty to be wild, that is, to preserve that flame that burned brighter, for instance, in youth. Maybe I'm seeing it wrong... As usual, ambiguity is your middle name, np.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yeah, I read it in a wrong way, allright.

    ReplyDelete
  9. agree. we can't change people, people change them by themselves.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Breaking another's spirit can also tame, though deep in their hearts they are probably still wild.

    ReplyDelete
  11. It takes a lot to tame a Lion which is why self control is hard for some.

    http://alternateviewsnews.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your aphorisms seem to be so timely for the things that happen in my life! (This may give you some insight into just how egocentric I am)...anywho...I truly believe self-discipline is the key to a successful and happy life. I've just been reading about how wisdom involves self-discipline and a person's ability to regulate their emotions and "bounce back", could these two be related?

    In M. Scott Peck's classic "A Road Less Travelled" he talks about the importance of self-discipline for development and growth. First chapter, worth a read!

    Thanks NP!

    Lauren K

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yep, if there's anything I learned from teaching it's that external motivations are only short-term band-aids. Discipline has to be intrinsic.

    ReplyDelete
  14. A very clever aphorism, I like it, yes, we decide what we do, our energy and motivation, we can be savage, powerful, smart, quiet... sometimes the lion came out and sometimes the lion wait for the opportunity, I think the symbology of lion is the conviction, the desire of be ourself, we can not lost the passion. A big hug. Mario.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I like Jitter Johnny's take on it. Of course taming is internal, but perhaps another meaning to be found is to not tame, to remain wild, as in youth. Everyone knows that's my soapbox. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Yes,but requires lot of inner strength.
    Truly, words of wisdom.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I agree whole heartedly with this one. The importance of self-discipline and the notion of being responsible for yourself is for me one of the real signs of maturity. And it's so necessary in a social setting if there is to be peace.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Beautiful wisdom. Stop blaming the outside world for once and look within and work with what you have. It's easier said than done, but acceptance of who you are is key.

    ReplyDelete
  19. If only the rest of the world could learn from this.

    ReplyDelete