Holmes Views On The Differences Between Holmes And Socrates

Holmes also suggests on page seventy-eight: “Get yourself so completely saturated with a few basic principles, first, that they are firmly established in your mind and built into your thinking as habit.” A habit is a characteristic or mental trait, held firmly in mind and expressed without question or further deliberation. Like the traditional clothing worn by a monk or a nun, the habit expresses one’s beliefs and attitude toward life. The monk does not have to think about what he is going to wear, or what his appearance will be. His habit represents his commitment and vows; and ours would do as much, if we could just keep in mind the realization that this habit of thought represents. But be forewarned: anything you hold, can gain a hold
on you. When you think you’ve got it, its got you. Those who forget the basis for the principles they apply, who forget why they think the way they do, who no longer understand or have the awareness that gave rise to their thought and behavior are at the mercy of their habitual thinking. Habits are meant to simplify our lives, not control them; but those who think and act without the benefit of understanding are simply controlled.