Temptations hurt not, though they have accesse;
Satan o'ercomes none but by willingnesse.

Temptations hurt not, though they have accesse;
Satan o'ercomes none but by willingnesse.

'Tis one thing to be tempted, another thing to fall.

'Tis one thing to be tempted, another thing to fall.

If something can corrupt you, you're corrupted already.

If something can corrupt you, you're corrupted already.

It is said that power corrupts, but actually it's more true that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually read more

It is said that power corrupts, but actually it's more true that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things than power.

But Satan now is wiser than of yore,
And tempts by making rich, not making poor.

But Satan now is wiser than of yore,
And tempts by making rich, not making poor.

I know, when they prove bad, they are a sort of the vilest
creatures: yet still the same reason read more

I know, when they prove bad, they are a sort of the vilest
creatures: yet still the same reason gives it: for Optima
corrupta pessima: the best things corrupted become the worst.

How oft the sight of means to do ill deeds
Makes deeds ill done!

How oft the sight of means to do ill deeds
Makes deeds ill done!

Every conquering temptation represents a new fund of moral energy. Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes read more

Every conquering temptation represents a new fund of moral energy. Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before.

But something may be done that we will not;
And sometimes we are devils to ourselves
When read more

But something may be done that we will not;
And sometimes we are devils to ourselves
When we will tempt the frailty of our powers,
Presuming on their changeful potency.