That should cure the drinking habit.

The system of refusing the mere act of drinking, and leaving the desire in full force, is unintelligent war tactics, it seems to me.

I used to take pledges--and soon violate them.
My will was not strong, and I could not help it.

And then, to be tied in any way naturally irks an otherwise free person and makes him chafe in his bonds and want to get his liberty.

But when I finally ceased from taking definite pledges, and merely resolved that I would kill an injurious desire, but leave myself free to resume the desire and the habit whenever I should choose to do so, I had no more trouble.