Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent

"Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work." These words from Gustave Flaubert strike at the heart of the eternal tension between order and creativity, between the predictable rhythms of daily life and the wild, untamable forces of artistic genius. Flaubert’s insight is profound: discipline in one’s personal life is not merely a means of maintaining order, but a preparation for the chaos and innovation required in the creative act. To bring something original into the world—whether it be a piece of art, a new idea, or a radical change in society—requires a certain kind of freedom, but that freedom must first be earned through structure and regularity.

In the ancient world, this principle was known as balance—the ability to harmonize opposing forces to achieve greatness. The great philosopher Aristotle taught that virtue lies in finding the middle ground between extremes. For him, excess on either side—whether in indulgence or deprivation—led to disharmony and failure. Flaubert echoes this ancient wisdom: only through mastering the discipline of everyday life can one unleash the wildness required for true creative work. Like a warrior preparing for battle, an artist must first discipline themselves in the calm of the everyday, so they may be free to engage with the intensity of their craft without restraint.

Consider the life of Leonardo da Vinci, a man whose genius in art and science is still celebrated today. Da Vinci was known for his obsessive regularity in his studies and work habits. His notebooks are filled with detailed observations of the natural world, diagrams, and experiments, all marked by a structured approach to learning and creation. Yet, it was this very orderliness in his daily life that gave him the freedom to be violent and original in his work. His masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, was born from hours of patient study, and his inventive designs—from flying machines to weaponry—emerged from the methodical discipline of his mind. The world witnessed his originality not because of his chaos, but because of his calm, focused work.

This duality of order and creativity is seen in the lives of countless artists, writers, and thinkers throughout history. Johann Sebastian Bach, for example, was known for his rigorous study of music theory and composition. His life was marked by regularity and order, yet from this foundation, he was able to compose some of the most innovative and emotionally intense music ever written. His discipline allowed him to push the boundaries of musical form and expression, crafting compositions that were both structurally perfect and deeply original in their emotional impact.

However, Flaubert’s message is not simply about structure for the sake of structure. It is about the freedom that comes with mastery. Just as a warrior must practice their swordsmanship daily in order to fight with ferocity, an artist must hone their craft with regularity so that they can tap into their creative wildness when the moment demands it. It is in this preparation that the true potential for greatness lies. The order in our lives—be it through our work habits, our health, or our spiritual practices—creates the space for the chaos of creativity to emerge and flourish. Flaubert is teaching us that true innovation does not spring from disorder, but from a well-honed discipline that frees the mind to roam the untrodden paths of originality.

The lesson, then, is clear: to be violent and original in our work, we must first build the foundation of our lives with order and discipline. The chaos of creativity requires a steady hand, a clear mind, and a well-prepared heart. This balance is not easy to achieve, but it is necessary for the greatest accomplishments. We must create space for freedom in our work by first establishing regular routines, commitments, and practices in our personal lives.

Let us then, like the ancient masters, rise each day with dedication to our craft and to the order of our lives, so that when the time comes to create, we can channel the wild energy of our originality into something great. Just as a warrior sharpens their sword, so must we sharpen our minds and hearts through discipline, knowing that in this work, we prepare ourselves for the beautiful chaos of creation.