You know that the voltage in an inductive circuit leads the current because the Lenz' law behavior resists the buildup of the current, and it takes a finite time for an imposed voltage to force the buildup of current to its maximum.
You know that the voltage in a capacitive lags the current because the current must flow to build up the charge, and the voltage across the capacitor is proportional to that charge which is built up on the capacitor plates.