Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments.....

'If you want to reach your goals and dreams, You cannot do it without discipline'

Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore Prime Minister 1959 - 1990

Discilpine comes from the Latin word Discilpina and in Roman Mythology, Disciplina was a minor diety and the personification of discipline. The word had numerous meanings however - education, training, self control determination, knowledge in a field of study, and orderly way of life. Roman Soldiers worshipped her due to her virtues : frugality, sterness and faithfulness, especially ones who lived near the borders of the empire, with lawlessness just a stone throw away.

What a great way to describe the above quoted Singaporean. I am a Westerner who attends the school that bears his name, and while I am indebted to his work for some of my education, I understand that he has made trade offs in ensuring the rise of his nation - dissent and free speech are touch subjects, but Singaporeans do have the highest standard of living in the region due to his leadership.

Lest this descend in a political discussion, to go back to the quote, the statement is obvious ( and perhaps the school, in wanting to put up a quote by the persons whom the school is named after could perhaps have searched some more*). However with the procrastination nation upon us, the hard work is put in, with others, for the success of the country is remarkable. Were his goals and dreams the Singapore we see before him today? Perhaps, but HIS goals and dreams were undoubtedly to lead, to succeed and be remembered for his enlightened ruling as a modest man - similar to Roman Soldiers - which he achieved, with it must be said an asterisk or two.

From a public policy point of view, the quote does not elicit the discussion thats perhaps other quotes would, however in a school it clearly comes as a proviso - study hard!

* Some of Lee Kuan Yew's better quotes.....

'I want a world class oppostion, not riff-raff'

'I was a product of the times, the war, the occupation, the reoccupation, my 4 years in Britain, admiring but at the same time questioning whether they are able to do a better job than we can'

'You're talking abotu Rwanda or Bangladesh, or Cambodia, or the Philippines. They've got democracy, according to Freedom House. But have you got a civilised life to lead? People want economic development first and foremost. The leaders may talk something else. You take a poll of any people. What is it they want? The right to write and editorial as you like? They want homes, medicine, jobs, schools'

'Whoever governs Singapore must have that iron in him, or give it up! This is not a game of cards! This is your life and mine! I spent my whole life building this, and as long as I am in charge, nobody is going to knock it down'

'Even from my sick bed, even if you are going to lower me into the grave and I feel something is

going wrong, I will get up'