Thus, central to the religious life is self-control. More relevant passages are gathered under the topics Restraint, pp. 917-21, and Subdue Desires, pp. Irrigators lead the waters. Fletchers bend the shafts.
Carpenters bend wood.
The virtuous control themselves. With the conquest of my mind, I have conquered the whole world. Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life 4.40, p. 744. Though a man should conquer thousands and thousands of valiant foes, greater will be his victory if he conquers nobody but himself. Before you desire to control the universe, you must first be able to completely control yourself.