Habit isn't thrown out the window. Coax it downstairs a step at a time.

What it means

Big dramatic resolutions rarely break a habit. Twain says it comes down one step at a time. Change slowly and steadily.

The source

"Habit isn't thrown out the window. Coax it downstairs a step at a time." Mark Twain said it in Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894), ch. 6, Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar. Written in English: Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894.

"Habit is habit, and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed down-stairs a step at a time."

Original English (Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894), Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894), ch. 6, Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar. Text read at gutenberg.org.

Who said it

Mark Twain (1835–1910). American humorist and novelist. His sharpest one-liners appear as Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar in Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894) and Following the Equator (1897).

Questions

What does "Habit isn't thrown out the window. Coax it downstairs a step at a time." mean?

Big dramatic resolutions rarely break a habit. Twain says it comes down one step at a time. Change slowly and steadily.

Who said "Habit isn't thrown out the window. Coax it downstairs a step at a time."?

Mark Twain (1835–1910). Source: Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894), ch. 6, Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar.

What is the original wording?

Habit is habit, and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed down-stairs a step at a time (Original English (Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894)). Written in English: Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894.

Is "Habit isn't thrown out the window. Coax it downstairs a step at a time." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 6 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Habit isn't thrown out the window. Coax it downstairs a step at a time." (Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894), ch. 6, Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar, trans. Original English (Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894)). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/habit-isnt-thrown-out-the-window-coax-it