Lao tzu quotes watch your thoughts

Ralph Waldo Emerson? Lao Tzu? Frank Outlaw? Gautama Buddha? Bishop Beckwaith? Father of Margaret Thatcher?

Dear Quote Investigator: What do the following people have in common: Transcendentalist Ralph Waldo Emerson, Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, supermarket magnate Frank Outlaw, spiritual teacher Gautama Buddha, and the father of Margaret Thatcher?

42 of the Best ‘Lao Tzu’ Quotes on Life, Thoughts & Knowing ...

Each one of these individuals has been credited with versions of the following quote:

Watch your thoughts. They become words. Watch your words. They become deeds. Watch your deeds.

150 Lao Tzu Quotes That Will Bring You True Wisdom

They become habits. Watch your habits. They become character. Character is everything.

Can you sort out this confusing situation?

Quote Investigator: The earliest evidence of a closely matching expression located by QI was published in a Texas newspaper feature called “What They’re Saying” in May 1977.

The saying was ascribed to the creator of a successful U.S. supermarket chain called Bi-Lo:

“Watch your thoughts, they bec Watch your thoughts, they become words - Grace Mastered HAPI