Prosperity doth bewitch men, seeming clear;
As seas do laugh, show white, when rocks are near.
—John Webster (1580–1634) English Dramatist, Poet
I deal with temptation by yielding to it.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
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
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
It is easier to stay out than get out.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
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
No temptation can ever be measured by the value of its object.
—Colette (1873–1954) French Novelist, Performer
Every temptation is an opportunity of our getting nearer to God.
—John Quincy Adams (1767–1848) Sixth President of the USA
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
Temptations come, as a general rule, when they are sought.
—Margaret Oliphant (1828–97) Scottish Author
Happy the man who resists his temptations.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
He who cannot resist temptation is not a man.
—Horace Mann (1796–1859) American Educator, Politician, Educationalist
How oft the sight of means to do ill deeds, makes deeds ill done!
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Good habits result from resisting temptation.
—Common Proverb
When the flesh presents thee with delights, then present thyself with dangers; where the world possesses thee with vain hopes, there possess thyself with true fear; when the devil brings thee oil, bring thou vinegar. The way to be safe is never to be secure.
—Francis Quarles (1592–1644) English Religious Poet
Great possessions and great want of them are both strong temptations.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
The study of God’s Word is the only antidote against temptation.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Saintliness is also a temptation.
—Jean Anouilh (1910–87) French Dramatist
Temptation is the fire that brings up the scum of the heart.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
You oughtn’t to yield to temptation. Well, somebody must, or the thing becomes absurd.
—Anthony Hope (1863–1933) English Novelist, Playwright
To resist temptation once is not a sufficient proof of honesty. If a servant, indeed, were to resist the continued temptation of silver lying in a window, when he is sure his master does not know how much there is of it, he would give a strong proof of honesty. But this is a proof to which you have no right to put a man. You know there is a certain degree of temptation which will overcome any virtue. Now, in so far as you approach temptation to a man, you do him an injury; and, if he is overcome, you share his guilt.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Anybody can be good in the country. There are no temptations there.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
No one can ask honestly or hope fully to be delivered from temptation unless he has himself honestly and firmly determined to do the best he can to keep out of it.
—John Ruskin (1819–1900) English Writer, Art Critic
Temptation wrings integrity even as the thumbscrew twists a man’s fingers.
—Chinese Proverb
Sometimes we are devils ourselves, when we will tempt the frailty of our powers, presuming on their changeful potency.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Abstainer: A weak person who yields to the temptation of denying himself a pleasure.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
Most confidence has still most cause to doubt.
—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
Better shun the bait than struggle in the snare.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
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
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