Every man naturally persuades himself that he can keep his resolutions, nor is he convinced of his imbecility but by length of time and frequency of experiment.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- People overestimate their ability to keep resolutions and only learn their limitations through repeated failure over time.
- In plain terms
- We think we can stick to our plans until we fail.
- What can you take from it?
- Expect to fail at resolutions and learn from it.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do resolutions often fail?
- How do you know when to quit?
Another view
Some people do succeed with strong discipline.
More from Samuel Johnson
How is it that we hear the loudest yelps for liberty among the drivers of negroes?
Permalink to quote #17 This world, where much is to be done and little to be known.
Permalink to quote #19 There will always be a part, and always a very large part of every community, that have no care but for themselves, and whose care for themselves reaches littl…
Permalink to quote #16
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