“In the conduct of life, habits count for more than maxims, because habit is a living maxim, becomes flesh and instinct.”

— Henri-Frédéric Amiel

Journal Intime (1882), Journal entries
Context: In the conduct of life, habits count for more than maxims, because habit is a living maxim, becomes flesh and instinct. To reform one's maxims is nothing: it is but to change the title of the book. To learn new habits is everything, for it is to reach the substance of life. Life is but a tissue of habits.

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Henri-Frédéric Amiel50

Swiss philosopher and poet 1821–1881

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