The lapse of time during which a given event has not happened, is, in this logic of habit, constantly alleged as a reason why the event should never happen, even when the lapse of time is precisely the added condition which makes the event imminent.

按照这种习惯的逻辑，某件事长久没有发生，常被当作它永远不会发生的理由；哪怕正是时间的推移，使这件事迫在眉睫。