"In a sense it might even be said that our failure is to form habits: for, after all, habit is relative to a stereotyped world, and meantime it is only the roughness of the eye that makes two persons, things, situations, seem alike"

This quote by Walter Pater recommends that our failure to form practices is due to our propensity to view the world in a stereotyped method. We often stop working to recognize the subtle differences between two people, things, or scenarios, and instead lump them together in our minds. This is due to the fact that we are too quick to judge and don't take the time to really observe and appreciate the subtleties of each person. Pater is recommending that if we take the time to look more closely, we can recognize the distinct qualities of everyone, thing, or scenario, and form habits that are more significant and precise. In this way, we can move far from the stereotypes that limit our understanding of the world and rather kind practices that are based upon a more nuanced and accurate understanding.