Choose the life that is most useful, and habit will make it the most agreeable.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
A habit is something you can do without thinking – which is why most of us have so many of them.
—Frank A. Clark
You cannot believe in honor until you have achieved it. Better keep yourself clean and bright: you are the window through which you must see the world.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
Feeling sorry for yourself, and your present condition, is not only a waste of energy but the worst habit you could possibly have.
—Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) American Self-Help Author
Great is the power of habit. It teaches us to bear fatigue and to despise wounds and pain.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
Habit is second nature, or rather, ten times nature.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
Habit is a man’s sole comfort. We dislike doing without even unpleasant things to which we have become accustomed.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.
—Vince Lombardi (1913–70) American Football Coach
Habit is the second nature which destroys the first.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
I never could have done what I have done without the habits of punctuality, order, and diligence, without the determination to concentrate myself on one subject at a time.
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
Such as are thy habitual thoughts, such also will be the character of thy soul-for the soul is dyed by the thoughts. Dye it then, with a continuous series of such thoughts as these-that where a man can live, there if he will, he can also live well.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
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 (1835–1910) American Humorist
In early childhood you may lay the foundation of poverty or riches, industry of idleness, good or evil, by the habits to which you train your children. Teach them right habits then, and their future life is safe.
—Lydia H. Sigourney (1791–1865) American Poetaster, Author
To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
It is easier to prevent bad habits than to break them.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Habit is a shackle for the free.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
If everyone sweeps before his own front door, then the street is clean.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Habits are the daughters of action, but then they nurse their mother, and produce daughters after her image, but far more beautiful and prosperous.
—Jeremy Taylor
You leave old habits behind by starting out with the thought, ‘I release the need for this in my life’.
—Wayne Dyer (1940–2015) American Self-Help Author
Man is occasionally what he should be perpetually.
—Unknown
You must acquire the habits and skills of managing a small amount of money before you can have a large amount.
—T. Harv Eker (b.1954) American Motivational Speaker, Lecturer, Author
The habit of looking on the best side of every event is worth more than a thousand pounds a year.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
There is no pleasure in life equal to that of the conquest of a vicious habit.
—Unknown
Nothing so needs reforming as other people’s habits.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
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 (1912–1990) American Political Journalist
In essence, if we want to direct our lives, we must take control of our consistent actions. It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently.
—Tony Robbins (b.1960) American Self-Help Author, Entrepreneur
Habit is a cable.—We weave a thread of it every day, and at last we cannot break it.
—Horace Mann (1796–1859) American Educator, Politician, Educationalist
Habit is second nature.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
Thoughts lead on to purpose, purpose leads onto actions, actions form habits, habits decide character, and character fixes our destiny.
—Tryon Edwards American Theologian
Good habits result from resisting temptation.
—Common Proverb