"It seems difficult, sometimes, to believe that there was a time when sentiments now become habitual, sentiments that imply not only the original imperative of conduct, but the original metaphysic of living, were by no means altogether habitual"

This quote by Lascelles Abercrombie talks to the idea that our present worths and beliefs are not necessarily the same as those of the past. He recommends that it is tough to picture a time when the worths and beliefs that we now take for approved were not yet developed. He suggests that these worths and beliefs are not just related to how we should behave, but likewise to our basic understanding of life. This quote functions as a pointer that our values and beliefs are not static, however rather are constantly evolving and altering in time. It is necessary to bear in mind that our existing worths and beliefs are not necessarily the only ones that have ever existed, which we must be open to originalities and perspectives.