>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 become words;

> watch your words, they become actions;

> watch your actions, they become habits;

> watch your habits, they become character;

> watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

>

> FRANK OUTLAW

> Late President of the Bi-Lo Stores

>”Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.”

> You sow an act, you reap a habit (acts repeated constitute habits);

> you sow a habit, you reap a character;

> you sow a character, you reap a destiny.