These moral excellencies are neither a part of our nature, nor yet contrary to our nature: we are by nature fitted to take them on, but they are brought to consummation through habit.

It is not with them, as with our senses, where nature first gives us the power to see and hear, and where we afterwards exercise that power.

Moral virtues are acquired only by practice.

We learn to build or to play the harp, by building or playing the harp: so too we become just or courageous, by a course of just or courageous acts.

This is attested by all lawgivers in their respective cities; all of them shape the characters of their respective citizens, by enforcing habitual practice.