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. This opinion of our own constancy is so prevalent, that we always despise him who suffers his general and settled purpose to be overpowered by an occasional desire.

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic

Prayers and Meditations, 1770-06-01 (1785)
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