thoughts to live by

thoughts to live by

A motto, aphorism, axiom, or other piece of advice that will serve one well throughout one's life if it is upheld or adhered to. Sometimes used humorously or sarcastically. Of course Dad is getting up at 6 AM—he's always considered "early to bed, early to rise" to be thoughts to live by. As I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate that "a dollar saved is a dollar earned" really are thoughts to live by.
See also: by, live, thought
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • words to live by
  • (I) would if I could
  • (one's) lord and master
  • be all in a day's work
  • all in a day's work
  • as far as the eye can see
  • as far as the eye can/could see
  • back to the salt mines
  • as you do
  • believe it or not
References in periodicals archive
Some years ago I wrote a curriculum about parenting and family life, containing 117 thoughts to live by. One of the most important is: "I will not spend more than I make." I have used the 117 positive thoughts myself, and I'm 81 with no worry about money.
It's fun to be Frugal
Some of his closing Thoughts to Live By are priceless: "Do not act like a 'star ...
Hitting Your Mark