Who said “Ill habits gather by unseen degrees, As brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas.”?

Verified

John Dryden. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceFables, Ancient and Modern (1700)

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“Ill habits gather by unseen degrees, As brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas.”
— John Dryden
VerifiedFables, Ancient and Modern (1700) · evidenceHabit

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Fables, Ancient and Modern (1700).

APA

Dryden, J. (n.d.). Ill habits gather by unseen degrees, As brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/20633-ill-habits-gather-by-unseen-degrees-as-brooks/

MLA

Dryden, John. “Ill habits gather by unseen degrees, As brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/20633-ill-habits-gather-by-unseen-degrees-as-brooks/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Dryden, John. “Ill habits gather by unseen degrees, As brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/20633-ill-habits-gather-by-unseen-degrees-as-brooks/.

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