Better shun the bait than struggle in the snare.

Better shun the bait than struggle in the snare.

It is easier to stay out than get out.

It is easier to stay out than get out.

O cunning enemy that, to catch a saint,
With saints dost bait thy hook: most dangerous
Is read more

O cunning enemy that, to catch a saint,
With saints dost bait thy hook: most dangerous
Is that temptation that doth goad us on
To sin in loving virtue.

Terrible is the temptation to be good.

Terrible is the temptation to be good.

I may not here omit those two main plagues, and common dotages of
human kind, wine and women, which read more

I may not here omit those two main plagues, and common dotages of
human kind, wine and women, which have infatuated and besotted
myriads of people: they go commonly together.

For I am that way going to temptation,
Where prayers cross.

For I am that way going to temptation,
Where prayers cross.

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.

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 can resist anything except temptation.

I can resist anything except temptation.