Margaret Thatcher, Lao Tzu, and Me

Margaret Thatcher died last week.  In the movie, Iron Lady, she is quoted as saying that her father instilled in her some values with the following:

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

I wonder if she knew that those words were actually first said by the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu.  And, in light of what transpired in the last twenty years of her life, I wonder if she was introspective enough to see how true those words were.   

These days, I prefer a modified version of Lao Tzu's passage.  The Everett Jenkins version reads:

"Keep your thoughts positive because positive thoughts lead to positive words.  Positive words lead to positive actions.  Positive actions lead to positive habits.  Positive habits lead to a positive character.  And a positive character leads to a positive destiny."

Stay positive my friends and have a good Sunday.