If you want to cultivate a habit, do it without any reservation, till it is firmly established. Until it is so confirmed, until it becomes a part of your character, let there be no exception, no relaxation of effort.
Interpretation
To establish a habit, practice it consistently and with commitment until it becomes an integral part of yourself.
This quote by Mahavira emphasizes the importance of dedication and unwavering commitment in cultivating habits. It suggests that in order to truly integrate a habit into oneβs life, one must pursue it with full effort and without exceptions, allowing it to become a foundational aspect of oneβs character over time.
In practice
In a self-improvement seminar discussing the importance of consistent habits.
If one undertakes retrospection of the day's events, one must do it regularly at the appointed hour, not fitfully, not doing it today, neglecting to do it tomorrow and the day after and then taking it up again on the fourth day. Such irregular practice is not conducive to the confirmation of the habit of retrospection.
Attachment and aversion are the root cause of karma, and karma originates from infatuation. Karma is the root cause of birth and death, and these are said to be the source of misery. None can escape the effect of their own past karma.
Start the practice of self-control with some penance; begin with fasting.
Anger begets more anger, and forgiveness and love lead to more forgiveness and love.
Modes are infinite, and laws are infinite.
Eating constitutes the greatest obstacle to self-control; it gives rise to indolence.
Gratitude in advance is the most powerful creative force in the universe.
The passions seldom give good advice but to the interested and mercenary. Resentment generally suggests bad measures. Second thoughts and good nature will rarely, very rarely, approve the first hints of anger.
They will envy you for your success, your wealth, for your intelligence, for your looks, for your status - but rarely for your wisdom.
I do not know an instance of a major mathematical advance initiated by a man past fifty
Most people die of a sort of creeping common sense, and discover when it is too late that the only things one never regrets are one's mistakes.
Invention is the talent of youth, as judgment is of age.
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