A man who's active and incisive can yet keep nail-care much in mind: why fight what's known to be decisive? custom is despot of mankind.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Even an active person should attend to small details like nail care, as custom often controls human behavior more than decisive action.
- In plain terms
- Pay attention to small habits because custom rules people more than force.
- What can you take from it?
- Small habits shape behavior more than grand actions.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What customs control you without notice?
- Can you truly fight habit?
Another view
It oversimplifies the role of individual agency against custom.
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