One theft, however, does not make a thief. Action which defines a man, describes his character, is action which has been repeated over and over and so has come in time to be a coherent and relatively independent mode of behavior. At first it may have been fumbling and uncertain, may have required attention, effort, will - as when first drives a car, first makes love, first robs a bank, first stands up against injustice. If one perseveres on any such course it comes in time to require less effort, less attention, begins to function smoothly; its small component behaviors become integrated within a larger pattern which has an ongoing dynamism and cohesiveness, carries its own authority. Such a mode then pervades the entire person, permeates other modes, colors other qualities, in some sense is living and operative even when the action is not being performed, or even considered. Such a mode of action tends to maintain itself, to resist change. A thief is one who steals; stealing extends and reinforces the identity of a thief, which generates further thefts, which further strengthen and deepen the identity. So long as one lives, change is possible; but the longer such behavior is continued the more force and authority it acquires, the more it permeates other constant bodes, subordinates other conflicting modes; changing back becomes steadily more difficult; settling down to an honest job, living on one's earnings becomes ever more unlikely. And what is said here of stealing applies equally to courage, cowardice, creativity. . or any other of the myriad ways of behaving, and hence of being. Allen Wheelis
About This Quote

This quote is about the best that one can do to define themselves. It has become useless to try and change your ways of behavior. Eventually, an act becomes so pronounced that it gains over the character of the person performing the act. This quote talks about how one acts, not what they are.

If you are not kind, it does not make you a kind person; if you lie often, it does not mean that you are a liar. The only way to understand yourself is by being honest with yourself and then being honest with others by being honest whenever you have the chance.

Source: How People Change

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