Thursday, May 1, 2025

Control of Action: The Second Virtue of Maat


The second Virtue of Maat is control of action. This is significant as a virtue because actions, once taken, cannot be untaken. In human relations, whether personal or business, the words you speak, the deeds you do, and the negative attitude that you display can never be reversed. The old adage, “You can’t un-ring the bell,” is absolutely true here.

This virtue brings into the foreground the issue of self-discipline. Discipline is enforced obedience. It is bringing your own behaviors under control, regardless of how you may wish to behave in any given stressful situation. Controlling your action is a function of constant practice. If you are used to flying off the handle every time someone makes you angry, then you are out of control. If you want to be a successful entrepreneur and you have serious anger issues, then you are out of business. Your family may, out of love and commitment to you, put up with your bad behavior, but no customer or client will.

If you have trouble keeping your temper in check or cursing before you think, then get help. The art and science of successful entrepreneurs demands self-control in speech and behavior—even in body language!

People who are already well-off financially because they have inherited a family fortune can afford to be mean, surly, self-absorbed and rude. Keep in mind, however, that their wealth allows them to live the life they want without succeeding in starting a new business! They are not you, and you are not they!

You are attempting to build true wealth for yourself and your family. The only way you can succeed in doing this is to treat people with respect, be concerned about them, and serve them to the best of your ability—regardless of how you happen to feel about them personally on any particular day!

So, study to discipline yourself by controlling your action—your speaking and behavior. Strive to become a virtuous successful entrepreneur who works on yourself to bring your thoughts and actions under control so that nothing you think, say, or do becomes a stumbling block to your continued success as a human being and an entrepreneur.

Ultimately, you are not what you merely intend: you are only what you think and what you do. When the good you intend to do aligns with your thoughts, then you  become the wise master of yourself. Think well, do well and you will succeed in business and in life!


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