Each one of these quotes contains some truth about our humanity and this way we have of creating strong predispositions in ourselves. If we have any good habits, of course we don’t worry about them being too strong, or try to fight against them. But most of the thoughts I’ve collected seem only to apply to the habits we feel are “bad,” or at least not promoting our goals. From what I’ve seen, the majority of us fallen humans are all too prone to lay aside what appear to be the bonds of good character in what is known as The Moment of Weakness. Don’t trust in these habits! Pray and seek God, and live.
Habits are at first cobwebs, then cables. – Spanish proverb
Every grown-up man consists wholly of habits, although he is often unaware of it and even denies having any habits at all. – Georges Gurdjieff
The strength of a man’s virtue should not be measured by his special exertions, but by his habitual acts. – Blaise Pascal
The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.
– Samuel Johnson
It is no mean contest to overcome one’s bad habits, for custom, strengthened by enduring a long time, takes on the force of [second] nature.
– St. Basil the Great
Man is not imprisoned by habit. Great changes in him can be wrought by crisis – once that crisis can be recognized and understood. – Norman Cousins
Lord, have mercy on us!