--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is a hard thing to break through a…" description: "\"“It is a hard thing to break through a habit and a yet harder thing to go contrary to our own will. Yet if thou overcome not slight and easy obstacles ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/197/thomas-a-kempis-721_habits_it-is-a-hard-thing-to-break-through-a-ha_2471548.png" --- # It is a hard thing to break through a habit and a yet… ![“It is a hard thing to break through a habit and a yet harder thing to go contrary to our own will. Yet if thou overcome not slight and easy obstacles how wilt thou overcome greater ones Withstand thy will at the beginning and unlearn an evil habit lest it lead thee little by little into worse…” quote by Thomas à Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/197/thomas-a-kempis-721_habits_it-is-a-hard-thing-to-break-through-a-ha_2471548.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/197/thomas-a-kempis-721_habits_it-is-a-hard-thing-to-break-through-a-ha_2471548.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/197/thomas-a-kempis-721_habits_it-is-a-hard-thing-to-break-through-a-ha_2471548.png) > ““It is a hard thing to break through a habit and a yet harder thing to go contrary to our own will. Yet if thou overcome not slight and easy obstacles how wilt thou overcome greater ones Withstand thy will at the beginning and unlearn an evil habit lest it lead thee little by little into worse difficulties. Oh if thou knewest what peace to thyself thy holy life should bring ...and what joy to others methinketh thou wouldst be more zealous for spiritual profit.”” [Thomas à Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Overcoming ingrained habits and resisting personal will are essential; small challenges must be mastered before tackling larger ones, leading to inner peace and greater zeal for spiritual growth. **In simple terms:** Break habits, master small challenges, gain peace and zeal. Key Takeaway Master small obstacles before larger ones. Themes self‑discipline spiritual growth habit change Mood reflective determined hopeful Type advice inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - personal habit reform - spiritual practice - conflict resolution - ethical decision‑making Key Concepts willpower moral development inner peace Questions to Reflect On - What small habit could you start changing today? - How does mastering minor obstacles affect your confidence? A Different Perspective Small successes may not guarantee success against deeper, systemic issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Holy life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy-life/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stormie-omartian/you-are-of-god-little-children-and-have-overcome-them-because-he-who-2/) [Stormie Omartian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stormie-omartian/) > [“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandie-freed/ye-are-of-god-little-children-and-have-overcome-them-because-greater/) Sandie Freed > [“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stormie-omartian/you-are-of-god-little-children-and-have-overcome-them-because-he-who/) [Stormie Omartian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stormie-omartian/) > [“How encouraging to remember that the Spirit of God is more powerful than the spirit of wickedness! 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