What does this quote mean?

“If you would make anything a habit, do it.”

Habit formation is reduced to repeated action: the behavior itself is what trains the pattern.

Source note: Discourses; Epictetus gives the instruction while explaining how repeated acts strengthen habits.

“Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.”

Resolution becomes useful only when followed by execution; the maxim links deliberate standards with the habit of carrying them through.

Source note: Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin; this is Franklin’s fourth listed virtue, Resolution.

“Well done is better than well said.”

Franklin gives execution priority over impressive promises or intentions.

Source note: Poor Richard’s Almanack.

“Never leave that till tomorrow, which you can do to-day.”

The maxim turns prompt action into a habit: work that can reasonably be completed now should not be needlessly transferred to an uncertain tomorrow.

Source note: The Way to Wealth; a Poor Richard maxim on delay and useful employment of time.

“I would concentrate upon the manufacture of iron and steel and be master in that.”

Focused specialization can create depth of knowledge and execution by directing limited attention toward mastering one field instead of scattering effort across many ventures.

Source note: Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie; Carnegie describes his decision to concentrate his business attention on iron and steel.

“The master-word is Work”

Osler makes sustained work the organizing principle of his address to medical students, emphasizing disciplined practice over brilliance without application.

Source note: The Master-Word in Medicine, address at the opening of the University of Toronto medical faculty buildings, October 1, 1903. This collection treats the line as historical professional rhetoric and not as an endorsement of excessive working hours.