Temptations come, as a general rule, when they are sought.
—Margaret Oliphant (1828–97) Scottish Author
St. Augustine teaches that there is in each man a Serpent, an Eve, and an Adam. Our senses and natural propensities are the Serpent; the excitable desire is Eve; and the reason is the Adam. Our nature tempts us perpetually; criminal desire is often excited; but sin is not completed till reason consents.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
Learn to say “No”; it will be of more use to you than to be able to read Latin.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) English Baptist Preacher
Anybody can be good in the country. There are no temptations there.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
He who is not tempted, what does he know? And he who is not tried, what are the things he knows?
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
It is one thing to be tempted, another thing to fall.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Often the best way to overcome desire is to satisfy it.
—W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) British Novelist, Short-Story Writer, Playwright
No degree of temptation justifies any degree of sin.
—Nathaniel Parker Willis (1806–67) American Poet, Playwright, Essayist
Better shun the bait than struggle in the snare.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
Temptations without imply desires within; men ought not to say, “How powerfully the devil tempts,” but “How strongly I am tempted.”
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Every moment of resistance to temptation is a victory.
—Frederick William Faber (1814–63) British Hymn Writer, Theologian
It is a most fearful fact to think of, that in every heart there is some secret spring that would be weak at the touch of temptation, and that is liable to be assailed. Fearful, and yet salutary to think of, for the thought may serve to keep our moral nature braced. It warns us that we can never stand at ease, or lie down in the field of life, without sentinels of watchfulness and campfires of prayer.
—Edwin Hubbell Chapin (1814–80) American Preacher, Poet
There are several good protections against temptations, but the surest is cowardice.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
If you take temptations into account, who is to say that he is better than his neighbor?
—William Makepeace Thackeray (1811–63) English Novelist
Temptations, when we meet them at first, are as the lion that roared upon Samson; but if we overcome them, the next time we see them we shall find a nest of honey within them.
—John Bunyan (1628–88) English Puritan Writer, Preacher
You must learn that if you are a Christian, you will without a doubt experience all kinds of opposition and evil inclinations in the flesh. For when you have faith, there will be a hundred more evil thoughts and a hundred more temptations than before.
—Martin Luther (1483–1546) German Protestant Theologian
He who has no mind to trade with the devil, should be so wise as to keep away from his shop.
—Robert South (1634–1716) English Theologian, Preacher
When devils will their blackest sins put on, they do suggest at first with heavenly shows.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Most dangerous is that temptation that doth goad us on to sin in loving virtue.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Saintliness is also a temptation.
—Jean Anouilh (1910–87) French Dramatist
Do all that you can to stand, and then fear lest you may fall, and by the grace of God you are safe.
—Tryon Edwards (1809–94) American Theologian, Author
When I cannot be forced, I am fooled out of my integrity. He cannot constrain if I do not consent. If I do but keep possession, all the posse of hell cannot violently eject me; but I am cast out when I cowardly surrender to his summons. Thus there needs no more to be my undoing but myself.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
God chooses that men should be tried, but let a man beware of tempting his neighbor. God knows how and how much, and where and when. Man is his brother’s keeper, and must keep him according to his knowledge.
—George MacDonald (1824–1905) Scottish Novelist, Lecturer, Poet
The absence of temptation is the absence of virtue.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Taste this, and be henceforth among the Gods thyself a Goddess.
—John Milton (1608–74) English Poet, Civil Servant, Scholar, Debater
As the Sandwich Islander believes that the strength and valor of the enemy he kills passes into himself, so we gain the strength of the temptations we resist.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
No temptation can ever be measured by the value of its object.
—Colette (1873–1954) French Novelist, Performer
The study of God’s Word is the only antidote against temptation.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
We usually know what we can do, but temptation shows us who we are.
—Thomas a Kempis (1379–1471) German Religious Priest, Writer
Do not give dalliance too much the rein; the strongest oaths are straw to the fire in the blood.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
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