Habit is second nature
Meaning
Something that has been done so often that it feels natural, automatic, and instinctive, as if it were an inherent part of one's character.
Origin
Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, with his keen eye for human nature, observed that repeated actions could carve grooves so deep in our character that they felt no different from our innate selves. He famously posited that 'moral excellence comes about as a result of habit; we become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts.' This profound insight led him to the succinct conclusion that 'habit is a second nature'—an idea that has echoed through centuries, explaining how our practiced behaviors, whether good or bad, become an effortless, almost instinctual part of who we are, shaping our very essence.
Examples
- After years of practicing the piano every day, playing complicated pieces became second nature to her, almost effortless.
- Even after retirement, waking up at 5 AM was still second nature for the former baker; old habits truly do die hard.