The beast in man must be scourged and disciplined and brought into subjection, and this can only be done by training the mind and life on certain fixed rules of right conduct. The saint attains to holiness by not violating his vows, and the man who lives according to good and fixed rules, is strong to accomplish his purpose.
The sixth rule, that of controlling the tongue, must be practised until one has perfect command of his speech, so that he utters nothing in peevishness, anger, irritability, or with evil intent. The man of strong will does not allow his tongue to run thoughtlessly and without check.
All these six rules, if faithfully practised, will lead up to the seventh, which is the most important of them all—namely, rightly controlling the mind.
