A man vows, and yet will not east away the means of breaking his vow. Is it that he distinctly means to break it? Not at all; but the desires which tend to break it are at work in him dimly, and make their way into his imagination, and relax his muscles in the very moments when he is telling himself over again the reasons for his vow.

Summary

This quote suggests that sometimes a person may make a vow or promise, but unintentionally undermine their own commitment. The person may not have a conscious intent to break the vow, but their desires and temptations start influencing their thoughts and actions, weakening their resolve. Even while they are reasserting the reasons behind their vow, their imagination is easily influenced by these desires, causing their determination to falter. Overall, the quote highlights the internal struggle that can arise when someone's desires challenge their commitments, blurring the line between intention and action.

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