These become a habit, and in time the muscle becomes stiff and incapable of learning any new movements--also incapable of leaving off the old.

The religion of an old person is merely so much reflex nervous action.

It is beyond the reach of reason.

The individual's mind can affect it as little as it can teach the other muscles of his body new suppleness." He spoke with a certain restrained nervousness that was not reassuring.
But the old man would not yet be rebuffed from his manner of lightness.
"Then, wanting an epidemic of typhoid, we of the older generation must die in error." "Yes, sir--I doubt even the efficacy of typhoid in most cases; it's as difficult for an old person to change a habit of thought as to take the wrinkles from his face.

That is why what we very grandly call 'fighting for the truth' or 'fighting for the Lord' is merely fighting for our own little notions; they have become so vital to us and we call them 'truth.'" The youth stopped, with a palpable air of defiance, before which the old man's assumption of ease and lightness was at last beaten down.