"He resolved, having done it once, never to move his eyeballs again"

This quote is a reflection on the power of practice and the problem of breaking it. The speaker has actually done something once, and now finds himself not able to stop doing it. He has become so accustomed to the action that he has actually made a conscious decision to never do it again. This could be analyzed as a metaphor for any habit, whether it be physical or psychological. The speaker is attempting to break a routine that has become so implanted in him that he needs to make a mindful effort to never do it again. This quote is a tip that habits can be hard to break, and that it takes a lot of effort and determination to make a modification. It likewise serves as a caution that once a routine is formed, it can be tough to break.