Rules of Great Thinkers

Personal philosophies of great minds—rules to live by, discipline, and guidelines

  1. Bruce Lee’s Personal Creed (1969) At age 28, while rising to fame in Hong Kong, Lee wrote this statement of self-mastery and lifelong improvement.

    • I will be in total control of myself.
    • I will live the way I please.
    • I will show others how great human beings can be.
    • I will accept challenges with courage.
    • I will not waste energy on negative emotions.
    • I will never be satisfied—always improving.

  2. Marcus Aurelius’ Stoic Reminders (c. 170 AD) Written in his 50s, during his reign as Roman Emperor in Rome, Meditations was a private journal of philosophical reflections.

    • You have control over your thoughts—nothing else.
    • Everything is temporary, including you.
    • Don’t let others dictate your peace.
    • You could leave life at any moment—act accordingly.
    • You are part of nature, not separate from it.
    • Do your duty without expecting rewards.
    • Don’t waste time arguing with fools.
    • Act with justice, courage, and wisdom.
    • Your opinion of yourself matters more than others’ opinions.
    • Kindness is invincible.

  3. Tolstoy’s Life Rules (late 1800s) As he aged at his estate in Yasnaya Polyana, Tolstoy became obsessed with self-discipline and moral integrity, refining his rules for life.

    • Rise at 5 AM.
    • Go to bed no later than 10 PM.
    • Two hours of physical exercise daily.
    • Eat moderately; avoid sweet foods.
    • Walk for an hour every day.
    • Only do one thing at a time.
    • Disregard public opinion.
    • Do good things inconspicuously.

  4. Ernest Hemingway’s Rules for Writing (1940s-1950s) Hemingway, in his 40s and 50s while living in Cuba, distilled his writing philosophy into these simple rules.

    • Write one true sentence.
    • Use short sentences.
    • Use short first paragraphs.
    • Cut out unnecessary words.
    • Write as naturally as possible.
    • Never write anything the reader will skip.
    • Do not describe emotions—make people feel them.
    • Stop writing when you know what happens next (to make starting easier).

  5. George Orwell’s Rules for Clear Writing (1946) Orwell, in his 40s while living in London, wrote these principles in Politics and the English Language to fight vague, manipulative writing.

    • Never use a metaphor, simile, or figure of speech you are used to seeing.
    • Never use a long word where a short one will do.
    • If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
    • Never use the passive voice when you can use the active.
    • Never use jargon if you can think of an everyday word.
    • Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.

  6. Steve Jobs’ Design Principles (1980s-2000s) Across his career at Apple Park, Jobs refined Apple’s philosophy around simplicity and usability.

    • Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
    • Build for how people actually use things, not how they should use them.
    • Focus on only a few things but do them extremely well.

  7. Muhammad Ali’s Personal Rules for Life (1970s-1980s) Ali, by his 30s and 40s in Louisville, had crafted a personal philosophy around confidence, resilience, and self-belief.

    • Think differently.
    • Do the impossible.
    • Love deeply.
    • Stand up for something bigger than yourself.
    • Believe in your greatness before anyone else does.
    • Work harder than anyone in the room.
    • Challenge the system.
    • Be unapologetically yourself.
    • Never stop learning.
    • Have fun and enjoy the ride.

  8. Benjamin Franklin’s Thirteen Virtues (1726) In 1726, at the age of 20 in Philadelphia, Franklin created a system to develop his character.

    • Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
    • Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
    • Order. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
    • Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
    • Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
    • Industry. Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
    • Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
    • Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
    • Moderation. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.