HKB
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Often appears with: religious superstition · religious persecution and toleration · justice as a virtue · habit formation · education and the training of the young · custom and unwritten law · custom and education
Usually: reflection (1) · the test or trial (1) · exhortation (1) · lament (1)
“Certainly custom is most perfect, when it beginneth in young years: this we call education; which is, in effect, but an early custom.” Francis Bacon, The Essays or Counsels, Civil and Moral · precept
Bacon says thoughts follow inclination but deeds follow custom; he argues education is early habit-formation, praises the power of societies to multiply virtues, and laments that best means are applied to least desired ends.
Of Custom And Education MEN'S thoughts, are much according to their inclination; their discourse and speeches, according to their learning and infused opinions; but their deeds, are after as they have been accustomed. And therefore, as Machiavel well noteth (though in an evil-favored instance), there is no trusting to the force of nature, nor to the bravery of words, except it be corroborate by custom. His instance …