Relief

But habit is a double-edged tool which also presents a temptation and an opportunity for a degradation of active willing.  Its spontaneity is also an inertia: the weak or tired will sees in its easy, readily available pattern not just a tool for effective action but also a relief from responsibility, a substitute for such action.  Thus the ultimate significance of habit--as well as preformed skills and emotion--depends on the effort which determines whether the will uses them or yields to them.