By persistently remaining single a man converts himself into a permanent public temptation.

By persistently remaining single a man converts himself into a permanent public temptation.

Know'st thou not any whom corrupting gold
Will tempt unto a close exploit of death?

Know'st thou not any whom corrupting gold
Will tempt unto a close exploit of death?

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!

Virtue is insufficient temptation.

Virtue is insufficient temptation.

Let a man be but in earnest in praying against a temptation as
the tempter is in pressing it, read more

Let a man be but in earnest in praying against a temptation as
the tempter is in pressing it, and he needs not proceed by a
surer measure.

Many a dangerous temptation comes to us in fine gay colours, that
are but skin-deep.

Many a dangerous temptation comes to us in fine gay colours, that
are but skin-deep.

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.

As the Sandwich-Islander believes that the strength and valor of the enemy he kills passes into himself, so we gain read more

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.

Temptation is the fire that brings up the scum of the heart.

Temptation is the fire that brings up the scum of the heart.