# Quotes about habits - Quotes: 68 - Authors: 53 - Broader topic: [Quotes about character](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/character.md) - Topic page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits - JSON version (same data): https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.json ## Quotes > Nothing is more dangerous than discontinued labor; it is habit lost. A habit easy to abandon, difficult to resume. [Victor Hugo](https://www.leafyquotes.com/victor-hugo.md) · [Les Miserables](https://www.leafyquotes.com/victor-hugo/les-miserables.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/victor-hugo/les-miserables/nothing-is-more.md) Topics: [work](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/work.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > Pursuits become habits. [Ovid](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ovid.md) · [Heroides](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ovid/heroides.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ovid/heroides/pursuits-become-habits.md) Topics: [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > So strong is habit in tender years. [Virgil](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil.md) · [The Georgics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil/the-georgics.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil/the-georgics/so-strong-is-habit.md) Topics: [childhood](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/childhood.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > I knew that good like bad becomes a routine, that the temporary tends to endure, that what is external permeates to the inside, and that the mask, given time, comes to be the face itself. [Marguerite Yourcenar](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marguerite-yourcenar.md) · [Memoirs of Hadrian](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marguerite-yourcenar/memoirs-of-hadrian.md) · p. 97 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marguerite-yourcenar/memoirs-of-hadrian/i-knew-that.md) Topics: [appearances](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/appearances.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > Men's thoughts, are much according to their inclination; their discourse and speeches, according to their learning and infused opinions; but their deeds, are after as they have been accustomed. [Francis Bacon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon.md) · [The Essays](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon/the-essays.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon/the-essays/mens-thoughts-are.md) Topics: [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > That was the danger of being old and a politician. Habits outlived the situations that created them. Policies remained in place after the situations that inspired them had changed. The calculus of all human power was changing, and the models she used to make sense of it shifted with them, and she had to keep reminding herself that the past was a different place. She didn’t live there anymore. [James S. A. Corey](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey.md) · [Cibola Burn](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey/cibola-burn.md) · p. 576 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey/cibola-burn/that-was-the.md) Topics: [the past](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-past.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > That’s the disgusting reality about the human ability to adapt. At first the shock, the repulsion, is all in 3D — sights and sounds and smells. You recoil and gag and wish for a bath and cry at the devastation. Time passes. You live in it. You spend time in it. You blend, and everything fizzles to normalcy, and that which once repulsed slowly becomes natural, acceptable if you do nothing. > > That, I realize, is what culture is: doing things a certain way until you get used to it. [Abi Dare](https://www.leafyquotes.com/abi-dare.md) · [And So I Roar](https://www.leafyquotes.com/abi-dare/and-so-i-roar.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/abi-dare/and-so-i-roar/thats-the-disgusting.md) Topics: [culture](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/culture.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement [James Clear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-clear.md) · [Atomic Habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-clear/atomic-habits.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-clear/atomic-habits/habits-are-the.md) Topics: [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md), [personal growth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/personal-growth.md) > Many people begin the process of changing their habits by focusing on what they want to achieve. This leads us to outcome-based habits. The alternative is to build identity-based habits. With this approach, we start by focusing on who we wish to become [James Clear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-clear.md) · [Atomic Habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-clear/atomic-habits.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-clear/atomic-habits/many-people-begin.md) Topics: [identity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/identity.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > It is so easy to overestimate the importance of one defining moment and underestimate the value of making small improvements on a daily basis. [James Clear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-clear.md) · [Atomic Habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-clear/atomic-habits.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-clear/atomic-habits/it-is-so-easy.md) Topics: [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md), [personal growth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/personal-growth.md) > Every action you take is a vote for the person you wish to become [James Clear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-clear.md) · [Atomic Habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-clear/atomic-habits.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-clear/atomic-habits/every-action-you.md) Topics: [identity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/identity.md), [taking action](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/taking-action.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > The soul grows into lovely habits as easily as into ugly ones, and the moment a life begins to blossom into beautiful words and deeds, that moment a new standard of conduct is established, and your eager neighbors look to you for a continuous manifestation of the good cheer, the sympathy, the ready wit, the comradeship, or the inspiration, you once showed yourself capable of. Bear figs for a season or two, and the world outside the orchard is very unwilling you should bear thistles. [Kate Douglas Wiggin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kate-douglas-wiggin.md) · [Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kate-douglas-wiggin/rebecca-of-sunnybrook-farm.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kate-douglas-wiggin/rebecca-of-sunnybrook-farm/the-soul-grows.md) Topics: [kindness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/kindness.md), [soul](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/soul.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > It takes an intellectual and physical effort to shove aside the comfortably worn neural pathways and go in a different direction. [Stephanie Foo](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephanie-foo.md) · [What My Bones Know](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephanie-foo/what-my-bones-know.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephanie-foo/what-my-bones-know/it-takes-an-intellectual.md) Topics: [change](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/change.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > The ability to say no to yourself is a gift. If you can resist your urges, change your habits, and say yes to only what you deem truly meaningful, you’ll be practicing healthy self-boundaries. It’s your responsibility to care for yourself without excuses. [Nedra Glover Tawwab](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nedra-glover-tawwab.md) · [Set Boundaries, Find Peace](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nedra-glover-tawwab/set-boundaries-find-peace.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nedra-glover-tawwab/set-boundaries-find-peace/the-ability-to-say.md) Topics: [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md), [boundaries](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/boundaries.md), [willpower](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/willpower.md) > the habit of years is not easily overcome. [Edna Ferber](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edna-ferber.md) · [One Basket](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edna-ferber/one-basket.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edna-ferber/one-basket/the-habit-of-years.md) Topics: [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > What if by sheer repetition we become the person we most often pretend to be? Does that mean there is no authentic self? Are we made of habits, compressed by time, like layered rocks? [Ben Okri](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-okri.md) · [The Age of Magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-okri/the-age-of-magic.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-okri/the-age-of-magic/what-if-by-sheer.md) Topics: [identity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/identity.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > Establishing and keeping a routine can be even more important than having a lot of time. Inertia is the death of creativity. You have to stay in the groove. [Austin Kleon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon.md) · [Steal Like an Artist](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon/steal-like-an-artist.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon/steal-like-an-artist/establishing-and-keeping.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > I didn't even know why I liked her. She was just there. I was used to her. [Tim Winton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tim-winton.md) · [The Shepherd's Hut](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tim-winton/the-shepherds-hut.md) · p. 77 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tim-winton/the-shepherds-hut/i-didnt-even.md) Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > “When you’re as old as I am,” Ending said, “one’s nature is largely a product of habit.” [Django Wexler](https://www.leafyquotes.com/django-wexler.md) · [The Forbidden Library](https://www.leafyquotes.com/django-wexler/the-forbidden-library.md) · p. 357 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/django-wexler/the-forbidden-library/when-youre-as-old.md) Topics: [old age](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/old-age.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > The routine dulls the terror. [Maaza Mengiste](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maaza-mengiste.md) · [The Shadow King](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maaza-mengiste/the-shadow-king.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maaza-mengiste/the-shadow-king/the-routine-dulls.md) Topics: [fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fear.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > Old habits did not just die hard. They refused to die at all. [Charles Sheffield](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield.md) · [Transcendence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/transcendence.md) · p. 70 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/transcendence/old-habits-did.md) Topics: [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > We are creatures of conditioning, Commander. We assume that what we know is easy, and we find mysterious whatever we do not. [Charles Sheffield](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield.md) · [Summertide](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/summertide.md) · p. 197 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/summertide/we-are-creatures.md) Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > "He had won the victory over himself," says the concluding line of George Orwell's grim novel, 1984. "He loved Big Brother." Just as hostages sometimes become fond of their abductors, we become attached to the factors that imprison us: our habits, customs, the expectations of others, rules, schedules, the state. Why do we give away our power or never claim it at all? Perhaps so that we can avoid decisions and responsibility. We are seduced by pain-avoidance, conflict avoidance. [Marilyn Ferguson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marilyn-ferguson.md) · [The Aquarian Conspiracy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marilyn-ferguson/the-aquarian-conspiracy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marilyn-ferguson/the-aquarian-conspiracy/he-had-won.md) Topics: [freedom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/freedom.md), [responsibility](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/responsibility.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > When a field has been carefully prepared and planted with seeds, and all favorable conditions are present, such as temperature, moisture, and warmth, the seeds will germinate and grow into crops. It is said that there is nothing, however difficult, that cannot become easy through familiarization. If you persevere in the practice of these instructions, you can be sure of achieving results. [Dilgo Khyentse](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dilgo-khyentse.md) · [The Heart of Compassion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dilgo-khyentse/the-heart-of-compassion.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dilgo-khyentse/the-heart-of-compassion/when-a-field.md) Topics: [perseverance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/perseverance.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > The sight of slabs of flesh should horrify and disgust any sensitive person if they exercised their inborn compassion. Habit has dimmed their native kindliness. Their palates have become abnormally corrupted and conditioned by a taste for dead food, its flavoring and odors. People who eat slaughtered creatures every day find it hard to imagine what to substitute for meat, not realizing that meat is the substitute for vegetables. [Helen Nearing](https://www.leafyquotes.com/helen-nearing.md) · [Simple Food for the Good Life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/helen-nearing/simple-food-for-the-good-life.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/helen-nearing/simple-food-for-the-good-life/the-sight-of-slabs.md) Topics: [compassion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compassion.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md), [veganism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/veganism.md) > Montaigne is wrong. Custom should be followed only because it is custom, and not because it is reasonable or just. But people follow it for this sole reason, that they think it just. Otherwise they would follow it no longer, although it were the custom; for they will only submit to reason or justice. [Blaise Pascal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal.md) · [Pensees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees/montaigne-is-wrong.md) Topics: [justice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/justice.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > The most important affair in life is the choice of a calling; chance decides it. Custom makes men masons, soldiers, slaters. ...We choose our callings according as we hear this or that praised or despised in our childhood, for we naturally love truth and hate folly. ...It is custom then which... constrains nature. But sometimes nature gains the ascendancy, and preserves man's instinct, in spite of all custom, good or bad. [Blaise Pascal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal.md) · [Pensees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees/the-most-important.md) Topics: [work](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/work.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > Custom is our nature. He who is accustomed to the faith believes in it, can no longer fear hell, and believes in nothing else. He who is accustomed to believe that the king is terrible … etc. Who doubts then that our soul, being accustomed to see number, space, motion, believes that and nothing else? [Blaise Pascal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal.md) · [Pensees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees/custom-is-our.md) Topics: [faith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/faith.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > Parents fear lest the natural love of their children may fade away. What kind of nature is that which is subject to decay? Custom is a second nature which destroys the former. But what is nature? For is custom not natural? I am much afraid that nature is itself only a first custom, as custom is a second nature. [Blaise Pascal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal.md) · [Pensees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees/parents-fear-lest.md) Topics: [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > Old responses live long, die hard, and frequently leave a troublesome corpse. [Pat Cadigan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pat-cadigan.md) · [Mindplayers](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pat-cadigan/mindplayers.md) · p. 245 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pat-cadigan/mindplayers/old-responses-live.md) Topics: [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > A person can get used to just about anything if it happens slow enough. [Robert Olmstead](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-olmstead.md) · [Coal Black Horse](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-olmstead/coal-black-horse.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-olmstead/coal-black-horse/a-person-can.md) Topics: [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > When choosing people to work and associate with, do not be mesmerized by their reputation or taken in by the surface image they try to project. Instead, train yourself to look deep within them and see their character. People’s character is formed in their earliest years and by their daily habits. It is what compels them to repeat certain actions in their lives and fall into negative patterns. Look closely at such patterns and remember that people never do something just once. They will inevitably repeat their behavior. Gauge the relative strength of their character by how well they handle adversity, their ability to adapt and work with other people, their patience and ability to learn. Always gravitate toward those who display signs of strength, and avoid the many toxic types out there. Know thoroughly your own character so you can break your compulsive patterns and take control of your destiny. [Robert Greene](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-greene.md) · [The Laws of Human Nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-greene/the-laws-of-human-nature.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-greene/the-laws-of-human-nature/when-choosing-people.md) Topics: [character](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/character.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > The most insidious thing about bondage was how easy it was to grow accustomed to it. [George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Dance with Dragons](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-dance-with-dragons.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-dance-with-dragons/the-most-insidious.md) Topics: [slavery](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/slavery.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > For years your treasure has been in the Stock Exchange, or the House of Commons, or the Salon, or the reviews that "really count" (if they still exist), or the drawing-rooms of Mayfair; and thither your heart perpetually tends to stray. Habit has you in its chains. You are not free. [Evelyn Underhill](https://www.leafyquotes.com/evelyn-underhill.md) · [Practical Mysticism: A Little Book for Normal People and Abba: Meditations Based on the Lord's Prayer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/evelyn-underhill/practical-mysticism-a-little-book-for-normal-people-and-abba-meditations-based-on-the-lords-prayer.md) · p. 84 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/evelyn-underhill/practical-mysticism-a-little-book-for-normal-people-and-abba-meditations-based-on-the-lords-prayer/for-years-your.md) Topics: [freedom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/freedom.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > Because of that corporate life, transfusing you, giving to you and taking from you - conditioning you as it does in countless oblique and unapparent ways - you are still compelled to react in to many suggestions which you are no longer able to respect: controlled, to the last moment of your bodily existence and perhaps afterwords, by habit, custom, the good old average way of misunderstanding the world. [Evelyn Underhill](https://www.leafyquotes.com/evelyn-underhill.md) · [Practical Mysticism: A Little Book for Normal People and Abba: Meditations Based on the Lord's Prayer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/evelyn-underhill/practical-mysticism-a-little-book-for-normal-people-and-abba-meditations-based-on-the-lords-prayer.md) · p. 175 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/evelyn-underhill/practical-mysticism-a-little-book-for-normal-people-and-abba-meditations-based-on-the-lords-prayer/because-of-that.md) Topics: [conformity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/conformity.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > There was a sense of security in old, familiar feelings in spite of their discomfort. [Hubert Selby Jr.](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hubert-selby-jr.md) · [The Room](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hubert-selby-jr/the-room.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hubert-selby-jr/the-room/there-was-a-sense.md) Topics: [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md), [safety](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/safety.md) > Habitualization carries with it the important psychological gain that choices are narrowed… the background of habitualized activity opens up a foreground for deliberation and innovation [which demand a higher level of attention]. [Peter L. Berger](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-l-berger.md) · [The Social Construction of Reality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-l-berger/the-social-construction-of-reality.md) · p. 53 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-l-berger/the-social-construction-of-reality/habitualization-carries-with.md) Topics: [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > And now I understand something so frightening, and wonderful — how the mind clings to the road it knows, rushing through crossroads, sticking like lint to the familiar. [Mary Oliver](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mary-oliver.md) · [Dream Work](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mary-oliver/dream-work.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mary-oliver/dream-work/and-now-i-understand.md) Topics: [thinking](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/thinking.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > People usually take for granted that the way things are is the way things must be. [Poul Anderson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/poul-anderson.md) · [The Enemy Stars](https://www.leafyquotes.com/poul-anderson/the-enemy-stars.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/poul-anderson/the-enemy-stars/people-usually-take.md) Topics: [conformity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/conformity.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > I have often thought, if it was not for this Tyranny which Custom usurps over us, that Men of any tolerable Good-nature could never be reconcil'd to the killing of so many Animals for their daily Food, as long as the bountiful Earth so plentifully provides them with Varieties of vegetable Dainties. [Bernard Mandeville](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bernard-mandeville.md) · [The Fable of the Bees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bernard-mandeville/the-fable-of-the-bees.md) · p. 187 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bernard-mandeville/the-fable-of-the-bees/i-have-often.md) Topics: [animals](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/animals.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md), [veganism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/veganism.md) > Anyone who has wasted hours surfing the Internet knows that technology can encourage bad habits. [Ted Chiang](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ted-chiang.md) · [Exhalation](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ted-chiang/exhalation.md) · p. 194 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ted-chiang/exhalation/anyone-who-has.md) Topics: [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md), [the internet](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-internet.md) > It seems, in theory, that I should be able to control at least a few of my bad habits. The problem is that my habits make me depressed, and the depression makes me want to indulge my habits and so I do. There isn't any solution to this. [John S. Hall](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-s-hall.md) · [Daily Negations](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-s-hall/daily-negations.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-s-hall/daily-negations/it-seems-in-theory.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > Riding on a city bus along the route that you have taken from your job, from the movies, from a hundred Chinese meals, with the same late sun going down over the same peeling buildings and the same hot smell of water in the aftershower air, can be, in the wake of a catastrophe, either a surrealistic nightmare of the ordinary or a plunge into the warm waters of beautiful routine. [Michael Chabon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-chabon.md) · [The Mysteries of Pittsburgh](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-chabon/the-mysteries-of-pittsburgh.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-chabon/the-mysteries-of-pittsburgh/riding-on-a-city.md) Topics: [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits. [Mark Twain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-twain.md) · [Pudd'nhead Wilson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-twain/puddnhead-wilson.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-twain/puddnhead-wilson/nothing-so-needs.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > Habit is habit, and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs one step at a time. [Mark Twain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-twain.md) · [Pudd'nhead Wilson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-twain/puddnhead-wilson.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-twain/puddnhead-wilson/habit-is-habit.md) Topics: [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > If humanity has one majestic talent, it’s an almost infinite capacity to get used to the Next Big Thing…then take it for granted. [David Brin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-brin.md) · [Kil’n People](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-brin/kiln-people.md) · p. 50 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-brin/kiln-people/if-humanity-has.md) Topics: [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > Here I am, between my flock and my treasure, the boy thought. He had to choose between something he had become accustomed to and something he wanted to have. [Paulo Coelho](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paulo-coelho.md) · [The Alchemist](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paulo-coelho/the-alchemist.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paulo-coelho/the-alchemist/here-i-am-between.md) Topics: [choices](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/choices.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > A work-room should be like an old shoe; no matter how shabby, it's better than a new one. [Willa Cather](https://www.leafyquotes.com/willa-cather.md) · [The Professor's House](https://www.leafyquotes.com/willa-cather/the-professors-house.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/willa-cather/the-professors-house/a-work-room-should.md) Topics: [work](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/work.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > "Old habits die hard." [Chuck Palahniuk](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chuck-palahniuk.md) · [Damned](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chuck-palahniuk/damned.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chuck-palahniuk/damned/old-habits-die.md) Topics: [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > Ever since his mother's second marriage Spandrell had always perversely made the worst of things, chosen the worst course, deliberately encouraged his own worst tendencies. It was with debauchery that he distracted his endless leisures. He was taking his revenge on her... He was spiting her, spiting himself, spiting God. He hoped there was a hell for him to go to and regretted his inability to believe in its existence. ...it was even exciting in those early days to know that one was doing something bad and wrong. But there is in debauchery something so intrinsically dull, something so absolutely and hopelessly dismal, that it is only the rarest beings, gifted with much less than the usual amount of intelligence and much more than the usual intensity of appetite, who can go on actively enjoying a regular course of vice or continue actively to believe in its wickedness. Most habitual debauchees are debauchees not because they enjoy debauchery, but because they are uncomfortable when deprived of it. Habit converts luxurious enjoyments into dull and daily necessities. [Aldous Huxley](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aldous-huxley.md) · [Point Counter Point](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aldous-huxley/point-counter-point.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aldous-huxley/point-counter-point/ever-since-his.md) Topics: [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > Names, once they are in common use, quickly become mere sounds, their etymology being buried, like so many of the earth's marvels, beneath the dust of habit. [Salman Rushdie](https://www.leafyquotes.com/salman-rushdie.md) · [The Satanic Verses](https://www.leafyquotes.com/salman-rushdie/the-satanic-verses.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/salman-rushdie/the-satanic-verses/names-once-they.md) Topics: [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > Rigid, the skeleton of habit alone upholds the human frame. [Virginia Woolf](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virginia-woolf.md) · [Mrs. Dalloway](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virginia-woolf/mrs-dalloway.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virginia-woolf/mrs-dalloway/rigid-the-skeleton.md) Topics: [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > Nothing seems at first sight less important than the outward form of human actions, yet there is nothing upon which men set more store: they grow used to everything except to living in a society which has not their own manners. [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alexis-de-tocqueville.md) · [Democracy in America](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alexis-de-tocqueville/democracy-in-america.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alexis-de-tocqueville/democracy-in-america/nothing-seems-at-first.md) Topics: [culture](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/culture.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > Man grows used to everything, the scoundrel. [Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky.md) · [Crime And Punishment](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky/crime-and-punishment.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky/crime-and-punishment/man-grows-used.md) Topics: [human nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/human-nature.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > Even happiness itself may become habitual. There is a habit of looking at the bright side of things, and also of looking at the dark side. Dr. Johnson has said that the habit of looking at the best side of a thing is worth more to a man than a thousand pounds a year. And we possess the power, to a great extent, of so exercising the will as to direct the thoughts upon objects calculated to yield happiness and improvement rather than their opposites. [Samuel Smiles](https://www.leafyquotes.com/samuel-smiles.md) · [Self-Help: With Illustrations of Conduct and Perseverance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/samuel-smiles/self-help-with-illustrations-of-conduct-and-perseverance.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/samuel-smiles/self-help-with-illustrations-of-conduct-and-perseverance/even-happiness-itself.md) Topics: [happiness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/happiness.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > Custom, then, is the great guide of human life. It is that principle alone which renders our experience useful to us, and makes us expect, for the future, a similar train of events with those which have appeared in the past. Without the influence of custom, we should be entirely ignorant of every matter of fact beyond what is immediately present to the memory and senses. We should never know how to adjust means to ends, or to employ our natural powers in the production of any effect. There would be an end at once of all action, as well as of the chief part of speculation. [David Hume](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume.md) · [An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/an-enquiry-concerning-human-understanding.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/an-enquiry-concerning-human-understanding/custom-then-is-the.md) Topics: [experience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/experience.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > Now as we call every thing , which proceeds from a past repetition, without any new reasoning or conclusion, we may establish it as a certain truth, that all the belief, which follows upon any present impression, is deriv'd solely from that origin. [David Hume](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume.md) · [A Treatise of Human Nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/a-treatise-of-human-nature.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/a-treatise-of-human-nature/now-as-we-call.md) Topics: [faith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/faith.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > Nature may certainly produce whatever can arise from habit: Nay, habit is nothing but one of the principles of nature, and derives all its force from that origin. [David Hume](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume.md) · [A Treatise of Human Nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/a-treatise-of-human-nature.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/a-treatise-of-human-nature/nature-may-certainly.md) Topics: [nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/nature.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > Do we not wile away moments of inanity or fatigued waiting by repeating some trivial movement or sound, until the repetition has bred a want, which is incipient habit? [George Eliot](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot.md) · [Silas Marner](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot/silas-marner.md) · p. 19 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot/silas-marner/do-we-not.md) Topics: [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > The lapse of time during which a given event has not happened, is, in this logic of habit, constantly alleged as a reason why the event should never happen, even when the lapse of time is precisely the added condition which makes the event imminent. A man will tell you that he has worked in a mine for forty years unhurt by an accident as a reason why he should apprehend no danger, though the roof is beginning to sink . . . [George Eliot](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot.md) · [Silas Marner](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot/silas-marner.md) · p. 41 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot/silas-marner/the-lapse-of-time.md) Topics: [risk](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/risk.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > One gets a bad habit of being unhappy. [George Eliot](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot.md) · [The Mill on the Floss](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot/the-mill-on-the-floss.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot/the-mill-on-the-floss/one-gets-a-bad.md) Topics: [sadness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/sadness.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > The stream of memory is only interrupted by great illnesses, and the stream of conduct, by great passions. Our tastes and inclinations may change, but this change, though it may be sudden enough, is rendered less abrupt by our habits. The skilful artist, in a good colour scheme, contrives so to mingle and blend his tints that the transitions are imperceptible; and certain colour washes are spread over the whole picture so that there may be no sudden breaks. So should it be with our likings. Unbalanced characters are always changing their affections, their tastes, their sentiments; the only constant factor is the habit of change; but the man of settled character always returns to his former habits and preserves to old age the tastes and the pleasures of his childhood. [Jean Jacques Rousseau](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau.md) · [Emile; or On Education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education/the-stream-of-memory.md) Topics: [change](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/change.md), [character](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/character.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > Habit accustoms us to everything. What we see too much, we no longer imagine; and it is only imagination which makes us feel the ills of others. It is thus by dint of seeing death and suffering that priests and doctors become pitiless. [Jean Jacques Rousseau](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau.md) · [Emile; or On Education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education/habit-accustoms-us-to-everything.md) Topics: [compassion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compassion.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > The rule of habit is only good for feeble hearts, and it makes them more and more feeble day by day. The only useful habit for children is to be accustomed to submit without difficulty to necessity, and the only useful habit for man is to submit without difficulty to the rule of reason. Every other habit is a vice. [Jean Jacques Rousseau](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau.md) · [Emile; or On Education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education/the-rule-of-habit.md) Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > ... habits in writing as in life are only useful if they are broken as soon as they cease to be advantageous. [William Somerset Maugham](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham.md) · [The Summing Up](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/the-summing-up.md) · p. 182 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/the-summing-up/habits-in-writing.md) Topics: [writing](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/writing.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > To fall into a habit is to begin to cease to be. [Miguel de Unamuno](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno.md) · [Tragic Sense of Life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno/tragic-sense-of-life.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno/tragic-sense-of-life/to-fall-into.md) Topics: [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > Just as, out of habit, one consults a run-down clock as though it were still going, so too one may look at the face of a beautiful woman as though she were still in love. [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://www.leafyquotes.com/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe.md) · [Maxims and Reflections](https://www.leafyquotes.com/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/maxims-and-reflections.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/maxims-and-reflections/just-as-out.md) Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > The ideas of inheritance and succession are so very familiar that the generality of mankind consider them as founded not only in reason but in nature itself. [Edward Gibbon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edward-gibbon.md) · [The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edward-gibbon/the-history-of-the-decline-and-fall-of-the-roman-empire.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edward-gibbon/the-history-of-the-decline-and-fall-of-the-roman-empire/the-ideas-of-inheritance.md) Topics: [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md)