Habit is a second nature — repeated behaviour becomes as natural and as difficult to change as one's inborn character. Both good habits and bad habits become part of who we are.
This proverb (derived from Aristotle's observation that virtue is a habit) took particular root in the disciplined working culture of Lombardy. The Milanese merchant who rose at five every morning, checked his accounts before breakfast, visited his warehouse at eight, and was at his desk by nine — for decades, without variation — had made these habits as natural as breathing. They required no effort, no discipline, no reminder. Equally, the worker who began every shift with a cup of coffee shared with his colleagues, who never skipped the safety check, who always greeted the foreman — these habits were woven into his identity. The proverb counsels the deliberate cultivation of good habits in youth, knowing that they will become automatic in middle age and irreplaceable in old age.
Lombard version of the Aristotelian observation on habit. Deeply embedded in the disciplined working culture of the región.
A Milanese father advising his son on building discipline
Studia ogni giorno alla stessa ora per sei mesi. L'abitudine l'è ona seconda natura — dopo non farai più fatica.
Estudia cada día a la misma hora durante seis meses. El hábito es una segunda naturaleza — después ya no costará esfuerzo.
A Lombard artisan on the muscle memory of craft
Dopo trent'anni le mie mani sanno come fare la sedia da sole. L'abitudine l'è ona seconda natura — il cervello pensa ad altro.
Después de treinta años mis manos saben hacer la silla solas. El hábito es una segunda naturaleza — el cerebro piensa en otras cosas.
A Milanese doctor on the difficulty of breaking bad habits
Il tabacco è entrato nella tua vita come una seconda natura. Non è solo dipendenza chimica — è identità. L'abitudine l'è ona seconda natura.
El tabaco ha entrado en tu vida como una segunda naturaleza. No es solo dependencia química — es identidad. El hábito es una segunda naturaleza.
A Turin sportsman on training routine
Mi alleno alle sei ogni mattina da dodici anni. L'abitudine l'è ona seconda natura — quando non lo faccio mi sento strano.
Me entreno a las seis cada mañana desde hace doce años. El hábito es una segunda naturaleza — cuando no lo hago me siento raro.