We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.
I like how he turns excellence from a singular act into the plurality of habit. Anyone can be nice, kind, generous, creative, inspiring, loving, or giving once, but excellence comes only in repeating that action...making it habit...making it permanent to you.
I found that an interesting thought.
And, of course, there's Foxworthy's Observation:
"Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, and each time expecting a different result."
I would agree with you Dave, I find that particular Aristotle quote to be inspirational. I think that often we find ourselves over confident and complacent with work we have just accomplished and then lack the motivation to continue that work. To create a great work of art can happen out of pure luck and a little bit of hard work, but to create masterpiece after masterpiece that would carry a person past the threshold of ordinary into the threshold of excellence.
Dave, the context you put thiis quote in reminds me of the infinite wisdom of Dave Barry: "Someone who is nice to you but rude to a waitress is not a nice person."
This must be why I'm always confusing Dave Barry and Aristotle.
