Quote of the day by Aristotle on the importance of habit: ‘We are what we repeatedly do…’
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” — Aristotle At its core, LiveMint's quote for the day
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” — Aristotle At its core, LiveMint's quote for the day by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle shifts the focus of human potential from grand, one-time moments of inspiration to daily consistency. What does the quote mean? To understand the quote, it helps to break it into its two distinct parts "We are what we repeatedly do." Your identity is the sum total of your regular actions. If you write every day, you are a writer. If you practice a sport every day, you are an athlete. Conversely, if you repeatedly procrastinate, procrastination becomes a defining trait, not just a passing phase. Identity follows action. "Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit." Excellence is not an accident, a stroke of luck, or a single heroic effort. You don't achieve excellence by pulling a single all-nighter or doing one massive workout. It is a long-term byproduct of small, disciplined choices that eventually become automatic. How is it relevant today? Even though the underlying philosophy is thousands of years old, it is arguably more critical now than it was in ancient Greece.
Antidote to ‘instant gratification’ trap: We live in an era of viral success, overnight influencers, and instant results. Algorithms condition us to expect immediate rewards. Aristotle reminds us that sustainable success and mastery cannot be fast-tracked. Whether you are learning a complex skill, building a business, or preparing for a major professional exam, real progress happens in the unglamorous, daily routines that no one sees. We live in an era of viral success, overnight influencers, and instant results. Algorithms condition us to expect immediate rewards. Aristotle reminds us that sustainable success and mastery cannot be fast-tracked. Whether you are learning a complex skill, building a business, or preparing for a major professional exam, real progress happens in the unglamorous, daily routines that no one sees. Redefining identity through micro-habits: In modern psychology, this philosophy underpins behavioural science. Popular frameworks, like James Clear’s Atomic Habits, echo this exact principle: "Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become." If you want to change your life, you don't start with a massive, overwhelming lifestyle overhaul. You start by changing small, daily micro-habits, because those repetitions gradually rewire how you view yourself.
In modern psychology, this philosophy underpins behavioural science. Popular frameworks, like James Clear’s Atomic Habits, echo this exact principle: "Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become." If you want to change your life, you don't start with a massive, overwhelming lifestyle overhaul. You start by changing small, daily micro-habits, because those repetitions gradually rewire how you view yourself. Managing cognitive fatigue: Our world is incredibly noisy, and we make thousands of decisions every day, which can lead to decision fatigue. When you turn a positive behaviour (like reading, exercising, or planning your day) into a habit, it moves from your conscious mind to your subconscious. It stops requiring willpower. By automating the "excellence" part of your day, you free up mental energy for deep, creative thinking. Also Read | Quote of the Day: Stevie Wonder on why positivity leads to a brighter future When did Aristotle say this? There's a bit of a plot twist: Aristotle never actually said or wrote those exact words. While the quote is widely attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher, it is actually from an American historian and philosopher named Will Durant.
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